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Higher Education Summit 2026

About the Event

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Summit convenes education leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry partners to discuss key issues shaping the future of higher education. Through expert-led discussions and collaborative sessions, participants will explore policies and strategies that promote student success, affordability, workforce readiness, and equitable access to educational opportunities across the Commonwealth.

Attend the Event

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Thursday, August 13, 2026

8:30 AM - 12:20 PM

8:30 AM - 12:20 PM

Hilton Harrisburg

One N 2nd Street

Harrisburg, PA 

Hilton Harrisburg

One N 2nd Street

Harrisburg, PA 

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Dress Attire

Dress Attire

Business Casual

Sponsorship and Ticket Information

Sponsorship and Ticket Information

For more information about sponsorships and tickets, please email advertising@cityandstatepa.com

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Agenda

8:30 AM EDT

1 HR
8:30 AM EDT 1 HR

Doors Open, Check-in & Networking

9:30 AM EDT

5 MINS
9:30 AM EDT 5 MINS

Welcoming Remarks by Emcee

Greg Salisbury
Greg Salisbury
Editor-in-Chief
City & State Pennsylvania
Greg Salisbury
Greg Salisbury
Editor-in-Chief
City & State Pennsylvania
Greg Salisbury
Greg Salisbury
Greg Salisbury
Editor-in-Chief
City & State Pennsylvania
Greg Salisbury

9:35 AM EDT

20 MINS
9:35 AM EDT 20 MINS

Keynote Remarks

Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Chancellor
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Chancellor
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino
Chancellor
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino

9:55 AM EDT

10 MINS
9:55 AM EDT 10 MINS

Special Presentation by ReUp Education

Tai Adams
Tai Adams
Managing Director, State Partnerships
ReUp Education
Tai Adams
Tai Adams
Managing Director, State Partnerships
ReUp Education
Tai Adams
Tai Adams
Tai Adams
Managing Director, State Partnerships
ReUp Education
Tai Adams

10:05 AM EDT

55 MINS
10:05 AM EDT 55 MINS

College Affordability, Student Access, and State Funding

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Managing Editor
City & State PA
Dr. Debora Carrera
Dr. Debora Carrera
Chief Education Officer
Mayor's Office of Education
Nathan Hench
Nathan Hench
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Guaranty, & Strategy
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Lynette Kuhn
Lynette Kuhn
Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Chairwoman
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors

This panel will examine how Pennsylvania can improve college affordability and expand student access while ensuring sustainable funding for higher education institutions. Panelists will discuss state investment strategies, financial aid, and policy solutions that support student success across the Commonwealth, while exploring how technology and innovation can expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Managing Editor
City & State PA
Dr. Debora Carrera
Dr. Debora Carrera
Chief Education Officer
Mayor's Office of Education
Nathan Hench
Nathan Hench
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Guaranty, & Strategy
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Lynette Kuhn
Lynette Kuhn
Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Chairwoman
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors

This panel will examine how Pennsylvania can improve college affordability and expand student access while ensuring sustainable funding for higher education institutions. Panelists will discuss state investment strategies, financial aid, and policy solutions that support student success across the Commonwealth, while exploring how technology and innovation can expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Dr. Debora Carrera
+3
3 more speakers

This panel will examine how Pennsylvania can improve college affordability and expand student access while ensuring sustainable funding for higher education institutions. Panelists will discuss state investment strategies, financial aid, and policy solutions that support student success across the Commonwealth, while exploring how technology and innovation can expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Managing Editor
City & State PA
Dr. Debora Carrera
Dr. Debora Carrera
Chief Education Officer
Mayor's Office of Education
Nathan Hench
Nathan Hench
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Guaranty, & Strategy
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Lynette Kuhn
Lynette Kuhn
Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira
Chairwoman
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors

This panel will examine how Pennsylvania can improve college affordability and expand student access while ensuring sustainable funding for higher education institutions. Panelists will discuss state investment strategies, financial aid, and policy solutions that support student success across the Commonwealth, while exploring how technology and innovation can expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)
Dr. Debora Carrera
+3
3 more speakers

11 AM EDT

25 MINS
11 AM EDT 25 MINS
Accenture Logo

Fireside Chat

Accenture Logo
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
President
Pennsylvania State University
Jessica Roy
Jessica Roy
Managing Director & Education Practice Lead
Accenture
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
President
Pennsylvania State University
Jessica Roy
Jessica Roy
Managing Director & Education Practice Lead
Accenture
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
Jessica Roy
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
President
Pennsylvania State University
Jessica Roy
Jessica Roy
Managing Director & Education Practice Lead
Accenture
Dr. Neeli Bendapudi
Jessica Roy

11:25 AM EDT

55 MINS
11:25 AM EDT 55 MINS

Workforce Development and the Future of Postsecondary Education

Tom Foley (Moderator)
Tom Foley (Moderator)
President
Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
Patricia Blumenauer
Patricia Blumenauer
Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Rep. John Schlegel
Rep. John Schlegel
Republican Chair
Subcommittee on Career & Technical Education
Nicole Biever
Nicole Biever
Senior Vice President for Strategy and Engagement
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Dave Clayton
Dave Clayton
Senior Vice President, Research
Strada Education Foundation
Adam Spivak
Adam Spivak
Vice President, Government Affairs
ReUp Education
Keri Straub
Keri Straub
Vice President, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications
Elizabethtown College

This panel will explore how Pennsylvania’s postsecondary education system—including colleges, universities, community colleges, apprenticeships, and other credential pathways—can better align with workforce and economic needs. Panelists will discuss strategies to strengthen career pathways, expand industry partnerships, foster innovation in education and training, and ensure learners can access flexible, high-quality options that equip them with the skills and credentials needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tom Foley (Moderator)
Tom Foley (Moderator)
President
Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
Patricia Blumenauer
Patricia Blumenauer
Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Rep. John Schlegel
Rep. John Schlegel
Republican Chair
Subcommittee on Career & Technical Education
Nicole Biever
Nicole Biever
Senior Vice President for Strategy and Engagement
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Dave Clayton
Dave Clayton
Senior Vice President, Research
Strada Education Foundation
Adam Spivak
Adam Spivak
Vice President, Government Affairs
ReUp Education
Keri Straub
Keri Straub
Vice President, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications
Elizabethtown College

This panel will explore how Pennsylvania’s postsecondary education system—including colleges, universities, community colleges, apprenticeships, and other credential pathways—can better align with workforce and economic needs. Panelists will discuss strategies to strengthen career pathways, expand industry partnerships, foster innovation in education and training, and ensure learners can access flexible, high-quality options that equip them with the skills and credentials needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tom Foley (Moderator)
Patricia Blumenauer
+5
5 more speakers

This panel will explore how Pennsylvania’s postsecondary education system—including colleges, universities, community colleges, apprenticeships, and other credential pathways—can better align with workforce and economic needs. Panelists will discuss strategies to strengthen career pathways, expand industry partnerships, foster innovation in education and training, and ensure learners can access flexible, high-quality options that equip them with the skills and credentials needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tom Foley (Moderator)
Tom Foley (Moderator)
President
Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
Patricia Blumenauer
Patricia Blumenauer
Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Rep. John Schlegel
Rep. John Schlegel
Republican Chair
Subcommittee on Career & Technical Education
Nicole Biever
Nicole Biever
Senior Vice President for Strategy and Engagement
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Dave Clayton
Dave Clayton
Senior Vice President, Research
Strada Education Foundation
Adam Spivak
Adam Spivak
Vice President, Government Affairs
ReUp Education
Keri Straub
Keri Straub
Vice President, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications
Elizabethtown College

This panel will explore how Pennsylvania’s postsecondary education system—including colleges, universities, community colleges, apprenticeships, and other credential pathways—can better align with workforce and economic needs. Panelists will discuss strategies to strengthen career pathways, expand industry partnerships, foster innovation in education and training, and ensure learners can access flexible, high-quality options that equip them with the skills and credentials needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tom Foley (Moderator)
Patricia Blumenauer
+5
5 more speakers

12:20 PM EDT

12:20 PM EDT

Sessions Conclude

Underwriters

Platinum

reup

Silver

Elizabethtown middle states strada

Bronze

penn state

In Partnership With

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