How admissions officials are navigating the academic year ahead

An article from

NACAC '26

How admissions officials are navigating the academic year ahead

At the National Association for College Admission Counseling conference, discussions ranged from AI in application essays to international recruitment.

Published Oct. 15, 2026

Laura Spitalniak

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George Washington University President Ellen Granberg speaks to attendees at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's annual conference on Oct. 9, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn.

Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive

College admissions is an ever-evolving process, both for the prospective students entering higher education and the administrators shaping operations behind the scenes.

Now, admissions officials must navigate the threat of federal investigations , changes in the student pipeline and the potential use of artificial intelligence by both their institutions and applicants .

Last week, members of the National Association for College Admission Counseling gathered in Minneapolis for their annual conference. Admissions experts spoke on everything from recruiting international students amid unstable federal policy to the fate of supplemental college essays .

Below, Higher Ed Dive is rounding up some of the most interesting conversations from NACAC 2026:

How 3 universities are approaching international student recruitment

By Laura Spitalniak

• Oct. 12, 2026

Leaders shared tips on attracting foreign students and weathering policy tumult. Read the full article ➔

Why women of color leave admissions work — and what institutions can do

By Laura Spitalniak

• Oct. 9, 2026

Panelists discussed how to support this group and boost employee retention. Read the full article ➔

3 admissions experts on why they require — or nixed — supplemental essays

By Laura Spitalniak

• Oct. 13, 2026

University leaders discussed application essay strategies in the AI era. Read the full article ➔