50th Annual Conference: Photos and Videos from Denver Now Available
Bending the Arc Together: Scholarly Reflection on the ASHE 50th Annual Conference
The ASHE 50th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, provided a vibrant space for ASHE members to connect with fellow scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Together, ASHE members engaged in critical dialogue centered on our theme, "The Bend in the Arc: Activist Praxis & Justice Through Scholarly Creative Expression," exploring how research can shape a more equitable future for higher education.
Take a look back at some of the moments and memories:
Collective Inquiry and Shared Plenary Experiences
The 50th Annual Conference centered on shared moments of learning, where the entire membership convened to engage with critical scholarship and the future of the field. These plenary sessions provided a unified space for ASHE members to reflect on a collective mission and the "Bend in the Arc" theme.
A Community Convening: ASHE members gathered for the Conference Kick-Off sponsored by ECMC Foundation, where the entire community was greeted by Kiowa Elder Andy Cozad and received a shared intro for the week ahead from the Conference Committee Leadership Team.
Shared Narrative and Celebration: On Thursday evening, attendees assembled for the world-premiere of the documentary "Things We Imagined" sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Sacramento State Black Honors College.
Celebrating Our Collective History: Following the standing-room-only screening of "Things We Imagined," ASHE members connected through shared history and celebration for the 50th Anniversary Celebration sponsored by SIUE, Sloan Foundation, University of Pittsburgh, and Central Michigan University.
Visionary Leadership: In a full-community session, ASHE members attended President Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher’s Presidential Address, "Not Just the Arc, but the Architects: Justice, Scholarship, and the Power to Reimagine Higher Education." Thank you to the University of Pittsburgh for the sponsorship of this session.
Paving the Way: An Induction Luncheon, sponsored by Ascendium, celebrated the 25 Inaugural ASHE Fellows, scholars whose work has deeply impacted the study of higher education.
Nominations for the 2026 Class of Fellows will open in May 2026.
Honoring Scholarly Contributions and Service: ASHE members convened for the ASHE Awards ceremony to celebrate those who advance the study of higher education through research, leadership, and service.
Nominations for 2026 Awards will open in May 2026.
Engaged Dialogue: ASHE members convened for a conversation between Drs. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Sharon Fries-Britt, exploring leadership and insights from Dr. Tatum's newest book, "Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times." Thank you to the University of Maryland for their sponsorship of this event. The conversation was followed by a book signing facilitated by local, BIPOC & woman-owned MATTER.
Advancing the Collective Momentum: To conclude the convening, members gathered for final conference highlights and leadership transitions, ensuring the entire community moved forward together into the next year under the leadership of ASHE 2026 Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn.
Grounding the Arc: Honoring Land, Labor, and Community Engagement
ASHE is committed to recognizing our history and the communities that host our convenings. In Denver, ASHE members were invited to engage with the complex histories of the Nuuchiu (Ute), Tsistsistas (Cheyenne), and Hinono’ei (Arapaho) peoples:
- Direct Community Support: ASHE contributed $5,000 total to local Indigenous organizations, Spirit of the Sun and the Haseya Advocate Program.
- Experiential Learning: Through the Denver Syllabus and guided walkthroughs of the Sand Creek Massacre exhibit, ASHE members confronted history through Cheyenne and Arapaho perspectives.
- Sustainable Connection: We highlighted Denver’s diversity through the Celebrate Colorado: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-Owned Business Marketplace and a day of engagement at the American Indian College Fund.
Thank you to the members of the 2025 Conference Local and Community Engagement Committee for their service in curating these events and programs.
Sustaining the Arc: Nurturing Holistic Well-Being and Creative Expression
Conference programming is designed to support ASHE members as both researchers and people, prioritizing holistic well-being and creative expression:
- Creative Praxis: Say It With Your Chest and the Laugh Lounge opened our anniversary with powerful (un)censored narratives that brought activist praxis to life through the arts.
- Restorative Spaces: From Paws and Relax therapy sessions to the ASHE Dash to professional massages and yoga flows, we provided intentional spaces amid the conference hustle.
- Inclusive Resources: To support the diverse needs of attendees, we provided on-site childcare, dedicated lactation rooms, an Attendee Workroom, and a Sensory and Mindfulness Space.
Thank you to the members of the 2025 Conference Attendee Engagement for their service in curating these events and programs.
Expanding the Arc: Innovations in Scholarly Inquiry and Practice
The foundation of the annual conference rested on the integrity and depth of a peer-reviewed program, curated through a rigorous and transparent process to center the most impactful research in the field:
- A Breadth of Inquiry: Throughout the convening, ASHE members engaged with over 200 scholarly presentations, representing a diverse range of perspectives and findings that move the study of higher education forward.
- Initiating the Arc through Pre-Conferences: The CEP, CAHEP, CIHE, and CPPHE Pre-Conferences welcomed nearly 400 ASHE members to begin the convening with specialized dialogue, concluding with a Joint Pre-Conference Reception sponsored by the McBee Institute to foster cross-disciplinary connections.
- Advancing Scholarly Skills: ASHE members extended their professional capabilities through research workshops sponsored by STATA and member-led sessions, as well as policy brief and op-ed writing workshops presented by the Scholars Strategy Network, designed to translate research into public-facing action.
Thank you to the members of the 2025 Program Committee for their service in curating these events and programs.