Coalition Annual Meeting & Conference
Case Western Reserve University
August 7-8, 2025
About the Conference
This annual event is a chance to engage with and learn from your fellow Coalition members on a range of college access topics and to discuss how we can continue to leverage the power of our membership to help achieve our vision: a future where all students have access to a successful, affordable and transformative college experience.
The conference will be held at the Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University.
Hotel reservations
Group rate room blocks are available at:
Courtyard Cleveland University Circle
$179 per night. Reserve by July 16.
Ideally situated in University Circle near campus and University Hospitals.
2021 Cornell Road | Cleveland, Ohio 44106
InterContinental Cleveland
$219 per night. Reserve by July 31.
Four Diamond Hotel featuring two restaurants; 24-hour room service; international staff; fitness center, and seasonal patio. Valet parking available.
9801 Carnegie Avenue | Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Please note: Transportation will not be provided from the hotels to the conference.
Conference registration rates
Early bird registration (through June 18): $300.
After June 18: $375
Why attend the conference?
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The insights and experiences shared by panelists were thought provoking and generated ideas to bring back to my institution. The topics were relevant/timely and really set the stage to think critically about the upcoming year.
2024 attendee
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To be in the room once again with people dedicated to college access was reinvigorating. The conversation was substantive and weighty, which is precisely where it needs to be at this critical moment.
2023 attendee
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I love the size of this conference as it allows me to connect with folks and chat about the year, what's coming and sessions we were in.
2024 attendees
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I really enjoyed the intimate size of the conference, which I felt encouraged speakers to be a bit more relaxed and candid.
2024 attendee
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I appreciate the open and honest conversations, as well as the unvarnished ways in which panelists and presenters offered their perspectives.
2024 attendee
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Every moment felt like it was intentionally used to communicate (actionable) information.
2023 attendee
FAQs
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We aspire to have each of our member institutions represented at this key event.
Many members send enrollment leadership, as well as staff who are passionate about expanding college access. -
The program will take place at the Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
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We have rooms reserved at the hotels listed above under “Hotel Reservations.”
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Flying
The closest airport to Case Western Reserve University is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Driving
Those driving to campus will park in Lot 29, and we’ll provide you with a parking pass in advance.
Lot 29 address:
Severance Music Center
11173 East Blvd. | Cleveland, OH 44106
The visitor entrance to Lot 29 is on East Blvd. All other entrances are closed to visitors.
Upon arrival at the East Blvd entrance: push the gate button and take the gate ticket. Leave both the ticket and parking pass in your car.
Upon departure: hand the gate ticket AND your parking pass to the attendant. (Print the parking pass sent to your email in advance of your arrival to campus.) -
Let us know at registration that you will need parking, and we’ll email you your parking pass.
If you’ve already registered and need to update your parking answer from “no” to “yes,” email us at info@coalitionforcollege.org.
Parking lot location & instructionsLot 29 address:
Severance Music Center
11173 East Blvd. | Cleveland, OH 44106
The visitor entrance to Lot 29 is on East Blvd. All other entrances are closed to visitors.
Upon arrival at the East Blvd entrance: push the gate button and take the gate ticket. Leave both the ticket and parking pass in your car.
Upon departure: hand the gate ticket AND your parking pass to the attendant. (Print the parking pass sent to your email in advance of your arrival to campus.) -
Here’s a Campus Map of Case Western Reserve University.
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Aug. 7
Dinner
Aug. 8
Breakfast
Lunch
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We recommend business casual attire and suggest dressing in layers.
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CaseGuest:
CaseGuest is a public wireless network that can be used by anyone within signal range. CaseGuest utilizes a captive portal where you must agree to the CWRU Acceptable Use Policy. All network connections are valid for a limited period of time.
eduroam:
Visitors to campus who belong to a university or research institution in the eduroam Consortium can use the secured eduroam wireless network. For more information, visit eduroam at CWRU.
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Options include:
Museums
Cleveland Museum of Art (adjacent to campus) (free access)
Cleveland Museum of Natural History (adjacent to campus)
Cleveland Botanical Garden (adjacent to campus)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Christmas Story House
Theater and Music
Playhouse Square, the largest theater district in the U.S. outside of NYC
Severance Music Center and the Cleveland Orchestra (adjacent to campus)
Sports
Cleveland Guardians Baseball:
Outdoor
Cleveland Metroparks (free access)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (free access)
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You may transfer your registration to a colleague at any time.
We will provide a full refund of the conference fee for cancelations through July 23. After July 23, we cannot offer a refund.
To transfer your registration or request a refund, email us at info@coalitionforcollege.org
Have a question you don’t see here? Get in touch: info@coalitionforcollege.org.
Schedule
Thursday, August 7
1-2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Registration
2-3 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Welcome and Annual Business Meeting
3-4 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Session 1: Topic to be announced
4-4:15 p.m.
Break
4:15-5:15 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Access & Affordability: Directing Your Financial Aid Dollars
In this session, hear from enrollment leaders at three schools who have recently launched a new approach to their financial aid strategy. Learn what questions each of the enrollment leaders asked, the reports they ran, the tradeoffs they considered, and the numbers they crunched to craft a policy that lets them maximize their financial aid budget in service to institutional access priorities, while creating a clear message about affordability to students and families.
PANELISTS:
Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management, University of Vermont
Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment, Rice University
Chad Spencer, vice president for enrollment management, Centre College
5:15-6:30 p.m.
Break and transit
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Cocktail Reception & Dinner
A fun evening hosted by Case Western Reserve University at the BrewDog Cleveland Outpost.
Friday, August 8
8-9 a.m.
Breakfast
9-9:45 a.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Keynote: To be announced
9:45-10:45 a.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Improving Transfer Student Pathways
In 2024, several Coalition member institutions were selected for an American Talent Initiative grant aimed to fund efforts to support limited-income students. In this session, hear from three Coalition members whose projects focus on improving transfer pathways, specifically – Drexel University, for formalizing a direct admission transfer program with the Community College of Philadelphia; Stony Brook University, for implementing a dual admission program with Suffolk County Community College; and Stevens Institute of Technology for Creating the Stevens Transfer Student Success Initiative for STEM-focused community college transfers.
PANELISTS:
Cindy Chin, vice president for enrollment management, Stevens Institute of Technology
Richard Beatty, senior associate provost for enrollment, Stony Brook University
Dawn Medley, senior vice president for enrollment management, Drexel University
10:45-11 a.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Break
11 a.m.-Noon | Tinkham Veale University Center
Data Dive: Insights on Recruiting the Class of 2026 and Beyond
Niche has gathered millions of reviews and survey responses from students and parents navigating the college search, scholarship, and application process, and they support more than 50 million users each year in learning about their educational options. In this session, take a deep dive into the data Niche has collected and learn key insights and emerging trends about how students and families are engaging in their college search today.
Hosted by our presenting sponsor: Niche
Noon-1 p.m.
Lunch
1-2:15 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center
Leadership Perspectives: Staying Committed to the Work
Across the past five years, responding to unprecedented change and challenges has become the norm for enrollment managers. Panelists in this session will discuss what lessons they’ve learned as they’ve navigated these turbulent times, sharing how they’ve adapted their strategies, supported their teams, and balanced the needs of their institutions while serving students. In breakout groups following the panel, attendees will reflect on their own perspectives and experiences and discuss their own strategies for staying committed to the important work of opening the doors of opportunity for more students.
PANELISTS:
Tony Cabasco, vice president for enrollment, Colorado College
Peaches Valdes, dean of admission and financial aid, Wellesley College
Jonathan Williams, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid, Pomona College
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Closing
Register
Please note: this event is for members of the Coalition for College, our Counselor Advisory Committee, members of our Board of Directors, and select presenters.
Made possible by
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