Thursday, September 24, 2026

12:45 p.m. Check-in for an optional pre-conference workshop

1:30-4 p.m. Pre-conference workshop to be announced

6-8 p.m. KAAN Social

Friday, September 25, 2026

7:30 a.m. Check-in and continental breakfast

8:00 a.m. Conference welcome

8:30 a.m. Concurrent sessions I

9:30 a.m. Break

9:40 a.m. Concurrent sessions II

10:40 a.m. Break

10:50 a.m. Concurrent sessions III

12:00 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Presentation

1:00 p.m. KAAN Business Meeting

1:30 p.m. Concurrent sessions IV

2:40 p.m. Conference awards presentation and door prizes

Preconference details are being finalized and will be announced shortly. Attendees are still invited to attend this optional, no-cost session that offers a deep dive into a current issue in academic advising.

Alyssa Coats

NACADA Region 7 Chair

Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Retention at East Texas A&M University

Alyssa Coats leads first-year advising initiatives at East Texas A&M University, with a focus on Program for System Admission (PSA). She brings over 15 years of experience in academic advising and student success, having held leadership roles at Texas Tech University, Bossier Parish Community College, and SOWELA Technical Community College.

Originally from Texas, Coats earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Business and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Practice & Leadership. She is an active member of NACADA and has contributed to regional advising leadership and professional development. Outside of work, she enjoys concerts, road trips, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Conference Registration

The annual KAAN Conference is an in-person event. Registration for the conference includes a one-year membership to KAAN, which provides access to numerous opportunities for leadership, networking, professional development, scholarships and more.

All individuals attending the conference, including volunteers and presenters, must register and pay the event fee before receiving event materials or participating in the event. Payment for the conference can be completed through the registration form via credit card or can be delegated to a third party. Registration is not complete until payment has been received. Payment for registration must be received no later than September 24 to attend the conference.

Early-bird registration: (by August 15, 2026) $80.00 (includes one-year KAAN membership)
Regular registration: $95.00 (includes one-year KAAN membership)

Register Online

Payment Methods

• Credit Card: credit card information must be provided before the registration can be processed. Credit card information will not be accepted via email or phone. Credit card payments must be completed online.
• Check/Money Order: a check or money order should be accompanied with a copy of the event registration. Checks must be made payable to KAAN and include a copy of the electronic invoice received after completing the online registration form.
  Mail checks to the following address:
  Ashley Wetzel, KAAN Treasurer
  600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601
  
  A fee of $35 will be charged for returned checks, changes in payment method, or credit card alterations after the initial payment is processed.

For additional information on registration policies, including registration transfer and cancellations, refer to the KAAN conference registration policies. Questions about conference payment should be directed to the KAAN Treasurer at contactus@kansasadvising.org.

Questions about conference payment should be directed to the KAAN Treasurer at contactus@kansasadvising.org.

KAAN is confirming final hotel blocks to provide cost-savings to attendees. Details are being finalized and will be announced shortly.

The Kansas Academic Advising Network is excited to present our awards program, which honors current KAAN members and institutions that have significantly contributed to academic advising within our organization and their respective institutions.

We hope this program will encourage broader support and recognition of academic advising. Nominations are open for awards in the following categories:

Advising Scholarship Award: Published in a peer-reviewed professional journal.

Advising Publication Award: Creative and unique use of print or online publications (student planners, newsletters, electronic resources, etc.) that support academic advising.

KAAN Service Award: Significant contribution to our organization.

Supportive Advisor Award: Individual who exemplifies a commitment to advising and is a true advocate for students and academic advisors.

Nomination Form

Nominations close on August 15.

See also: more information about awards and previous award winners.

We want you! The Kansas Academic Advising Network Steering Committee has the following positions up for election at the 2026 Annual Conference.

Chair
The chair shall preside at all meetings of the association and steering committee and serve on the professional development fund committee. The chair is generally responsible for overseeing all association activities. The chair may call special meetings of the steering committee and will serve as an ex officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees. Due to an unexpected vacancy, this is a two-year appointment: one year as chair and one year as past-chair.

Vice Chair
The vice chair shall perform the duties and responsibilities of the chair in the chair’s absence and, when so acting, shall exercise the chair's powers. Vice chair shall serve as chair of the professional development fund committee and program committee. Vice chair will spend one year as vice chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair on the steering committee.

Treasurer
The treasurer will have custody of all KAAN funds and shall maintain such deposits in a federally insured depository institution approved by the steering committee. The treasurer shall serve on the professional development fund committee. The treasurer shall also maintain a register accounting for all receipts and disbursements, provide year-to-date and annual reports at steering committee and annual meetings, and have the books available for audit prior to the annual meeting.

Communication Coordinator
The communication coordinator will serve as the co-chair of the membership committee, shall work to maintain access to all electronic platforms (WordPress, Jotform, MailChimp, Google, PayPal, etc.) utilized by the organization, provide basic technical support and act as the designated liaison with contracted technical support.

Submit your nomination for steering committee