HECA 2026 | Chicago
Every year, I make it a priority to invest in professional development. This month, that meant heading to Chicago for the HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association) annual conference, and I came home with tons of notes, new friends, fresh perspectives, and a renewed appreciation for why this work requires us to keep learning.
Sitting Across from the Experts
This year, I had the chance to sit in a session with the deans of admissions from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Hearing directly from admissions leadership is something you simply cannot replicate by reading a website or listening to a podcast. They shared how they think about applications, what they are genuinely looking for in students, and how their campuses are evolving.
Other sessions covered everything from how to ethically pool and use admissions data to support our students, to the art of helping students build meaningful narratives around their activities and interests, to how to evaluate business school career outcomes for students pursuing that path.
Getting Back on Campus
Conferences are only part of the equation. I also made time while in Chicago to tour two campuses I had not visited recently: Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University. There is no substitute for walking a campus. I can describe a school from data and research, but when I have stood in the middle of it and seen how the surrounding neighborhood and campus culture interact, my ability to advise students about fit goes up considerably.
The Value of Colleagues Who Get It
There is also the incredible value of spending time with other independent educational consultants from across the country and around the world. The IEC community is small and truly collaborative, and conversations in hallways and over meals often produce as much learning as the formal sessions. We share what we are seeing, challenge each other’s thinking, and remind one another that we are not doing this work alone. That network matters. It makes me better at my job, and it ultimately serves my students.
What This Means for My Families
I know that when parents hire an independent consultant, they are trusting that person to provide current, accurate, and informed guidance. Attending conferences and touring campuses is how I honor that trust. The college landscape shifts every year, and staying current is critical.