What to Watch: Federal Higher Education Policy and What’s Next

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Marquis Salon 12/13 Room (ML2)

Institution Type: Any

Target Audience: Any

Moderator(s)

Christine M. Keller

Executive Director & CEO
Association for Institutional Research
Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Presenter(s)

Diane Cheng (she/her/hers)

Vice President of Policy
Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)
San Francisco, California, United States
Bryan J. Cook (he/him/his)

Director of Higher Education Policy
Urban Institute
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
JF

Jonathan Fansmith

Senior Vice President for Government Relations and National Engagement
American Council on Education (ACE), United States

Session Abstract: Federal higher education policy continues to shift quickly, shaped by changing priorities, legal challenges, federal data requirements, and developments at the U.S. Department of Education. This session brings together leading policy experts to provide a timely overview of what is happening now and where federal policy may be headed next.

Panelists will discuss emerging priorities, likely areas of federal focus, and the broader implications for institutions and the postsecondary sector. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the current policy environment and the issues most worth watching in the months ahead.

Keywords: higher education policy, federal policy

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