March 13, 2026
Call for Programs Deadline
April 24, 2026
Regular registration deadline
May 8, 2026
LAST day for late registration
May 21, 2026
Drive-in Conference
2026 NASPA Region III South Carolina Drive-In Conference
Regional Drive-in/Small Conference
May 21, 2026 Midlands Technical College - Airport Campus
Growth and Innovation in Higher Education
The 7th annual NASPA-SC Drive-In conference will be Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Midlands Technical College- Airport Campus located in Columbia, South Carolina. Our conference theme will be "Growth and Innovation in Higher Education." Our aim is to offer a conference filled with resourceful breakout sessions, guest speakers and engagement opportunities for higher education professionals to discover resources and insights that can be beneficial now as well as in the future.
Presented By
Conference Program
2026 NASPA South Carolina Drive-In Conference Program
Call for Program Proposals
The conference theme is "Growth and Innovation in Higher Education!". We welcome program submissions around this topic in panel, roundtable, and lecture format, but also welcome general sessions that can aid higher education professionals with achieving professional and student success!
Program Proposals are due on Friday, March 13! Complete the program submission below. Click the button that says "Submit a Program Proposal" to access the form.
Notes for Program Proposal Submission:
There will be 5 sections where you will be asked to submit the following information:
Part One - Coordinating Presenter information
- Coordinating Presenter information- name, institution, contact information, etc.
Part Two - Program Information
- Indicate the program type: lecture, facilitated panel, or roundtable discussion
- Program Title
Part Three - Program Submission Detail
- Abstract for program book- max 75 word
- Primary Learning Outcomes for Attendees- minimum of one, no more than four.
- Relation to Conference Theme- please share how this session would relate to the conference theme of “Growth and Innovation in Higher Education"
- Audience Engagement- Please share with us how presenters will engage and interact with the audience during the session.
- Description and Outline- Please provide a detailed overview of your presentation and outline of how the hour session will flow. This is an in-depth look at the presentation, including any literature or theoretical underpinnings. The more details and context provided, the better. Max word count is 600 words.
- A/V needs. Presenters will need to provide their own laptops and adapters. A projector/screen will be provided. Please note other needs here.
Part Four - Additional Presenters
- Please provide the names and contact information for any additional presenters!
Part Five - Confirmation and Acknowledgement Page
- Please read the acknowledgements and check the boxes!
Important Note:
Once you hit the “Save and Submit” button the presentation proposal will be submitted. The coordinating presenter should get an automatic email back to the email address they listed on the submission form. If you don’t see it within 30 minutes, please check your SPAM filer!
Questions? Please email us at [email protected]
Registration Details
Registration
We welcome NASPA and non-NASPA members from South Carolina and neighboring states to join us! There is one flat registration rate this year, regardless of membership!
The LAST day for registration is Friday, May 8, 2026.
Registration is $50 per person and includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Notes on payment for 2026:
- We strongly prefer immediate payment via a credit card.
- If that is not an option, a paper check mailed to the NASPA P.O. Box address on the invoice, OR the full P.O.Box address listed below. It must be received and processed before May 8, 2026. Instructions are below!
- Please note that NASPA-HQ does NOT accept ACH transfer and/or purchase orders!
- All payments must be received and processed by May 8, 2026.
- We will NOT accept payment on site! We do not have the processing capabilities.
Registration Steps for Non-NASPA Members
There is a flat registration fee of $50 for NASPA members and non-members. However, a NASPA account is required to register in the portal. For more information about setting up a NASPA account, please visit our website. If you are a non-member, please create an account to register. You do not have to sign up for a paid membership to create an account.
- Click the "register now" button below
- Advance to the next page, which will say to login. Click the login icon.
- The next page will ask for login info. Please look toward the bottom middle of the screen where the words "Don't have an account?" appear. Click that link.
- Create an account, this will NOT require that a membership be purchased. It will create a profile, which will allow registration.
- Follow through with the registration process and pay the conference registration fee!
For payment with a check or institutions interested in registering a group of attendees, please follow these steps:
- Have the participant(s) register individually, and upon checkout please select the "Bill Me Later" option. Please note that a NASPA account is required to register. For more information about setting up a NASPA account, please visit our website.
- Upon check-out every participant will receive a confirmation email with an invoice. Ask each participant to forward their confirmation email, which will have their registration fees and individual participant invoice number.
- Add the total amount of all the registration and additional fees.
- Issue a check for the total amount of all the registration and additional fees to the "2026 NASPA Region III South Carolina Drive-In Conference". In the memo or check stub, please list each individual participant invoice number, which can be found in the forwarded invoice.
- Mail the check to the following address:
NASPA CL ID # 500016
PO Box 5007
Merrifield, VA 22116-5007
The check must be addressed to the "2026 NASPA Region III South Carolina Drive-In Conference" and have all the invoice numbers for each individual participant listed.
Please note that registration for a group of participants cannot be processed on a single credit card transaction, and will require payment with a check. Any questions about registration can be directed to [email protected].
All payments with a check must be received and processed before Friday, May 8, 2026.
Schedule
A tentative outline of the day is included below. A full program listing with sessions and times will be available in April!
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Registration Opens
The registration table will open at 8am for participants to check-in. Note that NO late payments or walk-in registrations will be accepted.
8:15 AM - 8:45 AM
Check-In and Continental Breakfast
Location: TBA
8:45 AM - 8:55 AM
Conference Welcome
Location: TBA
8:55 AM - 9:30 AM
Round Table Discussions
Location: TBA
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Keynote Speaker
Locations Vary
10:15 AM - 10:30 PM
Morning Break
Location: TBA
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session Block One
Pick from one of 4 sessions to attend!
11:40 AM - 12:50 PM
Lunch and Palmetto Awards Presentation
Locations TBA
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Session Block #2
Pick from 3 sessions with one featured panel session!
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Afternoon Break
Locations Vary
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Session Block #3
Pick from 4 sessions
3:30 PM - 3:50 PM
Closing Session with Door Prizes
Wrapping up the day with excellent door prizes!
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Hope Rivers, President of Piedmont Technical College
Dr. Hope Rivers serves as President of Piedmont Technical College, where she has been a driving force in advancing the institution’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education and training. Under her leadership, the college—serving the largest area within South Carolina’s technical college system and contributing $349 million annually to the regional economy—has experienced a 10% increase in enrollment.
Dr. Rivers has cultivated impactful partnerships at the regional, state, and national levels, resulting in more than $90 million in funded capital improvement projects. These include a new health sciences facility, a new conference center, and two new advanced manufacturing training centers.
Her tenure has been marked by transformative initiatives, including the launch of The Hope Pantry food bank for students and community members, the revitalization of the Honors Program, the expansion of work-based learning opportunities, and a full redesign of the math and English curricula. She has also overseen the implementation of cutting-edge technology systems to enhance student services, communication, and college visibility.
Dr. Rivers’ outstanding leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the USC Distinguished Black Alumni Award and the 2024 Chief Executive Officer Award from the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners. In 2024, she was elected Chair of the South Carolina Technical College System Presidents’ Council. She was also selected as one of just 25 leaders nationwide to join the prestigious Aspen Presidential Fellowship Program, where she was honored by her peers with the opportunity to deliver the program’s graduation speech. In recognition of her trailblazing work, she received a commemorative brick on the historic University of South Carolina Horseshoe.
A first-generation college student from a small rural town, Dr. Rivers is a powerful role model and advocate for students. Her commitment to student success and economic mobility continues to shape the future of South Carolina through the transformative power of education.
Location Details
Conference Venue
The 2026 conference will be at Midlands Technical College - Airport Campus in Columbia, South Carolina.
Conference will take place in the Academic Center: 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170.
Suggested Conference Hotel
Two hotels near the conference venue have available blocks for conference attendees. Both hotels are on the same exit- Sunset Boulevard/ Highway 378, just on opposite sides of the street. They are a short 10-minute drive to the conference venue.
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport
110 McSwain Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Reservation deadline is April 21
Rate: $148 per night
Secure your reservation online
Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport
1094 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Reservation deadline is April 22
Rate: $99 per night
Secure your reservation online
Sponsorship Information
NASPA-South Carolina welcomes corporate sponsors for the annual drive-in conference. Information on sponsorship levels in below. Please contact a NASPA-SC board member for more information on how to join us this year!
| Level: | Bronze Level ($100) | Silver Level ($300) | Gold Level ($500) |
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Questions? You can also email us at [email protected].
Planning Team and Contact Information
Questions? Need more information? Please feel free to reach out to any of the team members!
|
Name |
Position |
|
Institution |
|
Mike Wade |
NASPA-SC State Director |
[email protected] |
University of South Carolina |
| Tim Johnson | NASPA-SC Assistant State Director for Conference Coordination | [email protected] | Claflin University |