The University of Cincinnati is proud to host the Big XII Admissions Conference, bringing together Enrollment Management professionals from Big XII member universities to collaborate, share best practices and explore the future of higher education.
January 26-28, 2027
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH
Discounted rate for Early Bird registration through August 31, 2026. Registration closes October 1, 2026.
This year's theme, One Conference. Many Futures. Global Influence., celebrates the collective impact Enrollment Management professionals have on shaping the future of higher education. Through keynote presentations, educational sessions and peer-to-peer discussions, attendees will gain innovative strategies, strengthen their leadership and discover new ideas they can implement at their own institutions.
Early Bird Registration Rate
Register early and save! Take advantage of the Early Bird rate of $350 through August 31, 2026. Beginning September 1, registration increases to $375.
Conference Agenda
Designed for current and aspiring middle managers and senior leaders, the conference features content across a wide range of Enrollment Management disciplines, including:
- Admissions Decision & Strategy
- Travel & Recruitment
- Campus Visits & Events
- Operations & Processing
- CRM & Data
- Marketing & Communications
- International Admissions
- Transfer Admissions
9:00am - 12:00pm | Check-In Open
12:00pm - 1:15pm | Welcome Keynote with Lunch
1:15pm- 2:45pm | Team Collaborations
3:00pm - 4:15pm | Special Topic Campus Tours
5:30pm - 8:30pm | Evening Reception
8:00am - 8:50am | Breakfast and Ice Breakers
9:00am - 9:45am | Session 1
10:00am - 10:45am | Session 2
11:00am - 11:45am | Session 3
12:00pm- 1:30pm | Lunch Breakout
1:30pm- 3:00pm | Team Collaborations
3:00pm - 3:45pm | Special Topic Sessions
5:15pm - 5:45pm | Bus Tour of Cincinnati
5:45pm - 8:00pm | Dinner Downtown
8:00am - 8:50am | Breakfast and Ice Breakers
9:00am - 9:45am | Session 4
10:00am - 11:30am | Team Collaborations
11:30am - 12:15am | Closing Session, Box Lunch Grab
Travel and Lodging
Getting here is easy. The University of Cincinnati is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which offers nonstop service to more than 50 destinations and convenient connections from cities across the United States. Whether you're flying or driving, Cincinnati is centrally located and easily accessible for Big 12 institutions throughout the conference footprint. Visit our Maps page for additional information about transportation and parking.
Hotel Celare
310 Straight Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219
Hotel Celare, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel, is located just one block from the University of Cincinnati campus, an easy five-minute walk to the conference venue.
A limited number of rooms have been reserved for conference attendees at the special rate of $159 per night. To receive the discounted rate, reservations must be made by January 5, 2027. After that date, rooms will be available at the standard rate based on availability.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
2500 S Market Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219
Fairfield Inn is located just one block from the University of Cincinnati campus, an easy ten-minute walk to the conference venue.
A limited number of rooms have been reserved for conference attendees at the special rate of $135 (Q) and $145 (K) per night. To receive the discounted rate, reservations must be made by January 5, 2027. After that date, rooms will be available at the standard rate based on availability.
Why Attend
LEARN
Discover innovative enrollment strategies from peer institutions.
CONNECT
Exchange ideas and build relationships with colleagues across the Big 12.
EXPERIENCE
Explore Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati campus.
Need help convincing your boss? Download our justification letter template to explain why attending the Big XII Admissions Conference is a valuable investment for both you and your institution.
Discover Cincinnati
Welcome to Cincinnati, a city where innovation, culture and community come together. Whether you have a few hours between conference sessions or want to extend your visit, Cincinnati offers world-class attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food and unique experiences just minutes from the University of Cincinnati campus.
Cincinnati’s parks and riverfront spaces offer scenic views, trails and places to unwind.
- Burnet Woods – A historic urban park located steps from the University of Cincinnati campus
- Smale Riverfront Park – Enjoy river views, gardens and walking paths along the Ohio River
- Eden Park – Home to beautiful overlooks, trails and the iconic Krohn Conservatory
- Ault Park – One of Cincinnati’s most scenic parks with gardens and city views
- Cincinnati MetroParks – Explore more than 100 miles of trails and natural spaces throughout the region
Discover the arts, history and creativity that make Cincinnati unique.
- Cincinnati Museum Center – Explore history, science and culture inside the iconic Union Terminal
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – Experience powerful stories of courage, resilience and freedom
- Cincinnati Art Museum – View collections spanning thousands of years of global art
- Cincinnati Music Hall & Aronoff Center – Enjoy concerts, theater, dance and performances throughout the year
- Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Playhouse in the Park – Experience Cincinnati’s thriving performing arts scene
- Cincinnati Observatory – Visit the oldest public observatory in the United States, established in 1873
Cincinnati’s sports culture runs deep. Cheer on hometown favorites:
- Cincinnati Reds – Major League Baseball at historic Great American Ball Park
- Cincinnati Bengals – NFL Football at Paycor Stadium
- FC Cincinnati – Major League Soccer at TQL Stadium
- Cincinnati Cyclones – Professional Minor League Hockey at Heritage Bank Center
Cincinnati’s neighborhoods are filled with unique shops, restaurants and experiences.
- Findlay Market – Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market featuring local vendors, food and shopping
- Newport Aquarium – Explore one of the Midwest’s premier aquariums, located just across the river in Northern Kentucky
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – One of the oldest zoos in the United States and home to world-famous animal conservation programs
Cincinnati’s food scene blends tradition with innovation. Don’t leave without trying a few local favorites:
- Cincinnati-style chili – Decide for yourself: Skyline or Gold Star?
- Graeter’s Ice Cream – Family-owned since 1870 and famous for its French pot process and signature chocolate chips
- Findlay Market – Sample local flavors from Cincinnati vendors and makers
- Explore local restaurants throughout neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine, Clifton and Ludlow
Your conference experience begins at one of the nation’s most innovative urban research universities.
- The University of Cincinnati pioneered cooperative education (co-op) in 1906, creating a model that has transformed experiential learning worldwide.
- Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, served as a professor of aerospace engineering at UC from 1971–1979.
- The Bearcat is a real animal, also known as a binturong, found in Southeast Asia.
Call for Session Proposals
Shape the Conversation at the Big XII Admissions Conference
The stage is yours to claim! Have you built a program experience that’s impacting yield rates? Perhaps you’ve introduced a new procedure to get students their decisions faster? Have an idea about where our industry is going in the future? Come tell us about it!
We're now accepting session proposals, and we want to hear from you. Whether you're piloting a new territory model, rethinking your CRM workflow, redesigning your admitted student experience, or leading your team through a season of change, this is your invitation to bring that work to the stage. The best sessions at this conference have always come from practitioners who are willing to share what's working (and what isn't) in their own offices.
Sessions will be organized across six tracks: Admissions Operations, Marketing & Recruitment Communications, CRM & Technology, Events & Campus Experience, Senior Leadership, and Professional Development. We're looking for a variety of formats to match a range of ideas — traditional breakouts, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, lightning talks, tech talks, and peer roundtables. If you have a strong idea, we'll help you find the format that fits it best.
Proposals are reviewed and curated by the Conference Content Subcommittee, so come with a clear point of view: what should the room walk away knowing, trying, or rethinking?
Submit your proposal by Friday, October 30th, 2026.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at some of last year's topics below for inspiration, then start brainstorming what you'd bring to the room in 2027.
2026 Session Titles — For Inspiration
- Territory Management Models That Work
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Integrating Campus Partners into Recruitment
- Centralized vs. Decentralized Admissions Offices
- Virtual & Hybrid Engagement Strategies That Convert
- Using Student Ambassadors for Yield and Storytelling
- Admitted Student Event Playbook
- Email, Text, or Call? Communication Strategies That Stick
- Training and Onboarding New Counselors
- Scholarship Strategy: Beyond Merit and Need
- Resetting Team Culture and Reducing Burnout
- Innovative Pilot Programs & Special Populations
- From Intake to Decision: Optimizing the Slate Workflow
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