CSPEN 8th Annual Higher Education Policy Meeting

Welcome to the CSPEN 8th Annual Higher Education Policy Meeting! Join us for two days of insightful discussions and networking opportunities at the Intercontinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf. This in-person event brings together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends and challenges in higher education policy. Don't miss this chance to connect with experts in the field and gain valuable insights to shape the future of education. Register now to secure your spot!

Make your hotel reservations today - discounted rooms are limited!

AGENDA
Tuesday, February 10, 2026

9:00 am – noon SIS Workshop - SIS SOS: Finding Our Way Out of the Tangle
We've heard from institutions across the country voicing concerns about reliability, functionality and the growing uncertainty caused by recent announcements of acquisitions and financial instability within the SIS industry.

This workshop will bring together experts from multiple SIS platforms to address the most pressing questions and challenges schools are facing. Participants can expect a lively, candid and solution-focused discussion aimed at helping school leaders navigate the complexities of SIS management, compliance and data integrity.

Panelists
Mike O'Brien, CEO and Head of Development, Conext
Rich Krygiel, Vice President of Corporate Development, Ellucian
Ricky Alfaro, CEO, FAME
Alex Arthur, Chief Revenue Officer, Orbund, LLC
Joe Fisher, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, Student First

Moderator

David Mohr, CEO, Salud Education

1:00 --1:30 pm Welcome and CSPEN Update

1:30 – 2:00 pm Department of Education Oversight Update

Mark Priebe, Acting Inspector General Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Education

2:00 – 2:45 pm Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Update - Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee

Panel Discussion
Andy Vaughn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliant International University
Alexander Ricci, National Council of Higher Education Resources

2:45 – 3:00 pm Break

3:00 – 4:00 pm Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Update - Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand- driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee

Panel Discussion
Dennis M. Cariello, Shareholder, Hogan, Marren, Babbo & Rose, LTD
Ryan Claybaugh, Vice President of Operations, Paul Mitchell Advanced Education
David Kafafian, Chief Operating Officer, CLASP
Aaron D. Lacey, Partner and Co-Chair – Higher Education Practice, Thompson Coburn LLP
Michale S. McComis, Ed.D. Executive Director, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

4:00 – 4:30 pm Auditing Requirements for Title IV Programs Update

Amy Bales, Assistant Director - Non-Federal Audit Team, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Education

4:30 – 5:30 pm Department of Education Cybersecurity Compliance Update

Panel Discussion
Davon Tyler, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education
Robert Anderson, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education

5:30 – 6:30 pm Reception

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

8:00 - 8:30 am Light Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00 am Opening Session

9:00 – 10:00 am Keynote Address - Federal Regulatory Update

Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent

10:00 – 10:15 am Break

10:15 – 11:15 am Department of Education and Department of Labor Workforce Integration - Update on Transition of Higher Education Programs and Responsibilities

Marek Laco, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training
Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor

11:15 -12:15 pm Legislative Higher Education Policy Update Reconciliation 2.0 HEA & WIOA Reauthorization, Shuttering the Department of Education and More

Amy Jones, Director of Education and Human Services Policy, House Committee on Education & Workforce

12:15 - 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 pm Higher Education Media Update - What’s Timely and Topical Today & What’s Ahead

Panel Discussion
Rebecca Carballo, Higher Education Reporter Politico
Katherine Knott, Federal Reporter, Inside Higher Ed
Eric Kelderman, Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education
Rick Hess, Opinion Contributor, Education Week, Senior Fellow and Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
Bianca Quilantan, Education Reporter, Politico

2:30 – 3:30 pm Higher Education Community Advocacy Update

Panel Discussion
Mark Brenner, Vice President, Government Relations, Universal Technical Institute
Conwey Casillas, Vice President, Federal & Public Affairs, Apollo Group
Kristina Gill, Partner, Duane Morris LLP
Jillian Klein, Senior Vice President, Government And External Affairs, Strategies Education Inc.

3:30 – 4:30 pm Earnings Data Research Update

Panel Discussion
Bryan Cook, Director of Higher Education Policy Work, Education, and Labor Division, Urban Institute
Jason Cohn, Research Associate, Work, Education, and Labor Division, Urban Institute

4:00 – 5:00 pm Reception

Thursday, February 12, 2026

8 – 8:30 am Light Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am Opening Session
Bipartisan Discussion

9:30 – 10:30 am Higher Education Community Sectors Update - What Are Our Colleagues’ Perspectives and Focus

Panel Discussion
Emmanual Guillory, Senior Director of Government Relations, American Council on Education
Kathryn Gimborys, Government Relations Manager, American Association of Community Colleges

10:45-11:30 am Higher Education Community Advocacy Update

Panel Discussion
TC Wolfe, Principal, New Century Government Affairs
Jacob Bonifield, Vice President, Government Relations/Special Counsel, DeVry University
Jonathan Helwink, Principal, Helwink Legal Group, PLLC

11:30 – noon Closing Session