Events
NINLHE SUMMER INSTITUTE
STRONGER TOGETHER: COLLECTIVE POWER AND COLLABORATION FOR NATIVE HIGHER EDUCATION
21-23 JULY 2026 • UNIVERSITY OF UTAH • SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
The National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education (NINLHE) Summer Institute, in partnership with ACPA’s Native, Aboriginal, and Indigenous Coalition (NAIC) and Indigenous Student Affairs Network (ISAN), is a time for professional development, networking with other educators, and personal renewal. Through this Summer Institute, educators with expertise in policies and practices vital to Native student success develop through our training sessions.
AN INTENSIVE EXPERIENCE
Summer Institute attendance is purposely limited to provide participants with an intensive experience that focuses equally on knowledge and skill building, information sharing, and the opportunity to draw upon the accumulated wisdom and experiences of the presenters as well as colleagues.
In an atmosphere of collaboration, friendship, and fun, the Summer Institute offers opportunities for spiritual renewal and personal empowerment. The Elder-In-Residence fulfills an important role within the Summer Institute. The Elder will begin and end each day with a prayer and reflection. The Elder-In-Residence will offer valuable context in which to consider our shared experiences throughout the Summer Institute.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Native and non-Native administrators, professional staff, and faculty committed to supporting and increasing recruitment, retention and graduation of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Aboriginal students at public, private, and tribal colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Summer Institute participants are expected to arrive on 21 July 2026
- Before 8 June 2026 – $550
- After 8 June 2026 – $650
Included with Registration
- Daily parking at University of Utah Conference Center, where the Summer Institute will take place
- All meals (Tuesday lunch through Thursday dinner)
Not Included with Registration
Lodging is not included in your Summer Institute registration rate, but registrants can take advantage of our special room block and group rates at the University of Utah Guest House, which is connected to the Conference Center. Summer Institute registrants who book directly with the Guest House by 20 April 2026 will receive a discounted rate of $190.00+tax/night. To make your reservation, call the Guest House Front Desk at 801-587-1000 and mention our group name: “NINLHE Summer Institute.” You can also make a reservation online and use offer code: “BKG1201” to access our room block.
Registrants may choose to stay at another hotel or commute from home if local; daily parking at the Conference Center is included regardless of where you stay.
LODGING INFORMATION
Lodging is not included in your Summer Institute registration rate, but registrants can take advantage of our special room block and group rates at the University of Utah Guest House, which is connected to the Conference Center.
Summer Institute registrants who book directly with the Guest House by 20 April 2026 will receive a discounted rate of $190.00+tax/night.
To make your reservation, call the Guest House Front Desk at 801-587-1000 and mention our group name: “NINLHE Summer Institute.” You can also make a reservation online and use offer code: “BKG1201” to access our room block.
Registrants may choose to stay at another hotel or commute from home if local; daily parking at the Conference Center is included regardless of where you stay.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrations can be paid by check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. All fees must be prepaid. Purchase orders are not accepted. Refunds will be given for cancellations received in writing to ACPA at info@acpa.nche.edu by 21 June 2026. Registrations can also be withdrawn by registrants using the event registration system through 21 June 2026. After 21 June 2026, there are no refunds. ACPA reserves the right to charge a service fee of US$50 for returned checks. Registrations are non-transferable. The Summer Institute may be canceled or postponed due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, the fees will be fully refunded; however, ACPA will not be responsible for other additional costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines, hotels, and/or travel agencies.
INSTITUTE SCHEDULe
DAY 1 • Tuesday, 21 July
- 10:00am – 1:00pm NINLHE Summer Institute Registration/Check-in
- 1:00 – 1:45pm Welcome & Blessing, NINLHE Overview & Summer Institute Orientation
- 1:45 – 3:15pm Summer Institute Participant Introductions
- 3:15 – 3:30pm Break
- 3:30 – 5:00pm Summer Institute Participant Introductions (Cont.)
- 5:15 – 5:30pm Reflection on the Day led by Elder-in-Residence
- 5:30pm Dinner (Provided)
- 7:00pm Evening Activity
Day 2 • Wednesday, 22 July
- 8:00 – 8:45am Breakfast (Provided)
- 9:00 – 9:15am Blessing
- 9:15 – 10:15am Keynote Speaker
- 10:15 – 10:30am Break
- 10:30 – 11:15am Q&A with Keynote Speaker
- 11:15am– 12:15pm Common Ground Walk
- 12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch (Provided)
- 1:45 – 3:00pm Thematic Breakout Sessions
- 3:00 – 3:15pm Break
- 3:15 – 4:30pm Participant Roundtable Discussions
- 4:45 – 5:00pm Reflection on the Day
- 5:30pm Dinner (Provided)
- 7:00pm Evening Activity
Day 3 • Thursday, 23 July
- 8:00 – 8:45am Breakfast (Provided)
- 9:00 – 9:15am Blessing
- 9:15 – 10:45am Leadership Panel and Q&A
- 12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch
- 1:15 – 2:30pm Thematic Breakout Sessions
- 2:45 – 4:00pm Participant Roundtable Discussions
- 4:15 – 4:30pm Closing Reflections
- 4:30 – 5:00pm Summer Institute Evaluations
- 5:30pm Dinner (Provided)
Day 4 (Optional) • Friday, 24 July
- 12:00 – 9:00pm Native American Celebration in the Park Pow Wow (Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah)