When it comes to developing community engagement initiatives or service-learning programs at your institution, hearing from others can help provide new perspectives and grow your network. As a Part 2 to the 2023 release of 15 Higher Education Conferences for Community Engagement and Service-Learning, we updated that list to include additional national, international, and regional conferences (all of which the GivePulse team has attended!) that provide excellent opportunities for faculty, staff, student leaders, scholar-practitioners, and more!
Here are 20 conferences, in no particular order, that we recommend to support your professional development:
National/International:
1. AAC&U Annual Meeting: The American Association of Colleges and Universities hosts an annual meeting in January. The AAC&U Annual Meeting is designed to support higher education leaders in navigating complex challenges while continuing to innovate and maintain focus on higher education as a public good.AAC&U brings innovative approaches to addressing challenges that impact higher education. It brings together thought leaders, scholars, and administrators to explore the latest in liberal education, inclusion, and equity. This conference is ideal for educators, administrators, and policymakers who are focused on developing innovative curricula and creating more inclusive campuses.
CEO George Luc at the AAC&U Annual Meeting
2. Compact: Hosted by Campus Compact, is a national coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education. Through their programs and partnerships, they promote the development of students as informed, engaged citizens who can contribute to their communities and the greater good.
The Compact conference is open to all and gathers thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners focused on the intersection of higher education and community engagement. It’s the perfect venue for anyone interested in building partnerships with local communities or advancing service-learning initiatives.
Compact offers sessions led by leaders in the field, highlighting best practices in building a comprehensive community engagement plan, and it is a great atmosphere for staff, faculty, and students of all experience levels.
TRUCEN - Campus Compact: The Research University Civic Engagement Network (TRUCEN), established in 2008, is an affinity network of Campus Compact and serves as a community of R1 research universities. TRUCEN (hosted just before Compact) brings together leaders and scholars from research universities to discuss and share strategies for integrating civic engagement into both research and teaching.
Benefits of Transitioning to GivePulse presentation at Compact
3. IARSCLE: The International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement is a professional organization that aims to promote and support the development of service-learning and community engagement in higher education.
We have been attending IARSCLE (here is a link to our social media post) for over 8 years! The people, the community, and the research promoted are top-notch. The international focus and variety of countries represented enrich the experience and learning. IARSLCE is an excellent conference for both budding and experienced community-engaged scholars.
When attending IARSLCE, expect a mix of presentations and on-site service-learning activities. This conference works with the local communities where the conference is held and creates an unforgettable experience for attendees.
Roundtable discussion at IARSLCE
4. Bonner SLI: The Bonner Summer Leadership Institute is an annual gathering of scholars, faculty, students, and staff from the Bonner Network. Bonner SLI is the largest annual gathering of the Bonner Network, with over 400 staff, students, faculty, leaders, representatives, and more.
Bonner SLI is great for students, faculty, staff, and researchers from Bonner Network institutions. GivePulse has attended Bonner SLI for the past three years, and we find this conference to be fantastic for creating a culture of community throughout the Bonner Network and Bonner institutions across the country.
Expect to be immersed in hands-on experiences with local community partners throughout the annual gathering.
Group picture at the Bonner Summer Leadership Institute of award recipients
5. ITGA: The International Town and Gown Association hosts an annual conference focusing on the relationship between institutions and their communities and the importance of effective communication and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
ITGA brings together leaders in higher education, corporate, government, nonprofit, and beyond to support collaboration across sectors to help drive community well-being and resiliency.
Award ceremony at ITGA
6. APLU Annual Meeting: The Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities hosts an annual conference focusing on supporting public and land-grant institutions in innovating their approach to community engagement, service-learning, research, and their role in creating thriving communities.
APLU brings together leaders, scholars, and faculty from public and land-grant institutions interested in moving the needle in sustainability, economics, research, and community engagement.
We love APLU because the annual meeting is highly focused on what institutions can do to support the communities they serve.
Four images of the APLU awards and a group selfie during the APLU Annual Meeting
7. NYLC: The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) is dedicated to advancing the field of youth civic engagement. Their conferences bring together educators, community leaders, and youth development professionals to explore effective ways to empower students to be agents of change.
NYLC is focused on building leadership and social responsibility in youth; it highlights innovative service-learning strategies and showcases youth-led projects across the country.
Attendees will gain insights into the latest trends in youth engagement and leadership development. The NYLC conference is ideal for educators, youth mentors, and nonprofit leaders who are passionate about developing the next generation of socially conscious leaders.
GivePulse team member at the GivePulse table at the National Youth Leadership Council Conference
8. AERA-SIG: The American Educational Research Association-Special Interest Group is a subgroup of the AERA focused on civic and community engagement within educational research. The conference connects educators, researchers, and community partners to discuss the intersections of education, research, and social change. It encourages critical dialogue on how education systems can address social issues through research and practice.
Ideal for educators, researchers, and policymakers, the AERA-SIG conference offers attendees a chance to collaborate on new methods for integrating civic engagement into educational research. Participants can expect in-depth discussions on the future of education and its role in fostering an engaged and socially responsible society.
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Presentation and working session at AERA-SIG
9. SEE: The Society for Experiential Education conference focuses on the transformative power of experiential learning. The conference provides an opportunity for professionals in higher education and community-based organizations to come together and explore best practices in experiential education. Topics range from internships and service-learning to project-based and community-based learning.
SEE’s conference is a must-attend for educators, administrators, and program coordinators who seek to create dynamic, hands-on learning environments. Attendees will walk away with new ideas and practical resources to incorporate experiential learning into their programs and institutions, ultimately enhancing student engagement and real-world readiness.
Group experiential learning activity visiting Niagara Falls at SEE 2025
10. CUMU: The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities represents institutions focused on creating positive change in urban environments. The CUMU conference brings together university leaders, faculty, and community partners to discuss how higher education can address pressing urban challenges. With an emphasis on community-based learning, the conference explores partnerships and strategies for engaging with local communities to tackle issues such as social justice, inequality, and economic development.
This conference is perfect for university administrators, faculty, and community leaders who want to foster partnerships that lead to sustainable urban development.
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Four images show presentations, panel conversations, and group pictures at the CUMU conference
11. IMPACT Conference: The IMPACT Conference centers around college and university students looking to gain the skills, knowledge, and ability to become socially responsible and build bridges in their communities.
This conference has great content and sessions for students, but there is a growing amount of content for administrators and practitioners in the field. Here is a photo of us there! We’ve seen many institutions and their administrators leverage this conference for both staff & student development and leadership.
Group picture with student leaders at the GivePulse booth during the IMPACT Conference
12. Engaged Scholarship Consortium: The Engaged Scholarship Consortium (ESC) aims to build bridges and encourage collaboration to build strong partnerships between universities and community partners, anchored in scholarship and designed to empower students to be engaged in their community.
We always learn a ton at this conference! Here is a photo of us attending the conference. ESC intertwines individuals advancing community engagement through extension services at public land grant institutions, administrators, scholar-practitioners, and community partner organizations.
Four images of presentations and roundtable discussions at ESC
13. One Big Thanks: The One Big Thanks Conference, hosted annually, celebrates service and community engagement in higher education. Focused on showcasing the positive impact of service-learning, the conference brings together educators, students, and community leaders to share stories, research, and best practices in service. The event provides a space to honor the work being done in communities and explore ways to further develop these initiatives.
This conference is perfect for faculty, staff, students, and community leaders who are passionate about service-learning and civic engagement. Attendees will leave with new perspectives on how to build stronger service programs and deepen their involvement in community-driven change.
Four images of student presentations at the One Big Thanks conference
14. Imagining America: Imagining America is a conference focused on the intersection of the arts, humanities, and civic engagement. It brings together scholars, artists, and community leaders to explore how creative disciplines can drive social change and contribute to community development. The event encourages collaboration and partnerships between academia, the arts, and local communities.
Imagining America is a National Gathering and immersive experience bringing together artists, scholars, designers, students, and cultural organizers addressing social and cultural issues. Imagining America joins attendees together through dialogue and creativity to inspire and educate leaders to move toward transformative action and education.
Imagining America is great for higher education faculty, administrators, community organizers, artists, and beyond.
Group picture and group discussion at the Imagining America conference
15. ACCU: The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) promotes the value of Catholic higher education. Their conference focuses on how Catholic institutions can integrate social justice, service, and community engagement into their educational missions. The ACCU conference highlights innovative programs and practices that align with Catholic institutions and promote the common good.
ACCU is ideal for administrators, faculty, and students at Catholic institutions. ACCU’s conference offers a unique opportunity to explore how Catholic colleges and universities can lead in civic engagement, leaving attendees with new ways to strengthen their institutions’ commitment to social responsibility and community impact.
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Award ceremony at ACCU
Regional:
1. Gulf-South Summit: The Gulf-South Summit connects educators with community partners. It uplifts the voices of local nonprofits and grassroots organizations to show the impact of community engagement in education on their organizations, and the impact students, community partners, and institutions of higher education have had on communities in the Gulf South region.We’ve been attending this conference since the early days. One of the best :) We always appreciate going to a smaller city in which the institution is an anchor and has deep community relationships. Similar to SEE, you’ll get a group of welcoming practitioners and administrators who advance this field. To register, go here.
Poster presentations at the Gulf-South Summit
2. Community Engaged Alliance: The Community Engaged Alliance (CEA) is a coalition of higher education institutions of all levels in Indiana focused on advancing community engagement practices across campuses. Its mission is to empower students, faculty, and communities to engage in collaborative and meaningful partnerships that address local and global challenges.
CEA’s conference attracts higher education professionals passionate about fostering community engagement across disciplines. This conference highlights research, strategies, and success stories on how universities can partner with communities for mutual benefit. It’s perfect for those involved in community-based research, service-learning, or public scholarship, offering a space to share resources, learn from peers, and develop new approaches for community engagement.
Four images of presentations and group pictures at the Community Engaged Alliance conference
3. Western Regional Continuums of Service: Western Regional Continuums of Service celebrates the journey of service-learning and focuses on creating lifelong opportunities for service and engagement. The conference provides a platform for educators, practitioners, and students to explore how service-learning and community-based projects contribute to personal and community growth.
Educators, program directors, and community service leaders will find this conference beneficial for discovering new approaches to integrating service learning into educational curricula. Attendees will have the chance to connect with others committed to fostering lifelong civic engagement and community-driven change.
Presentations and roundtable discussions at the Western Regional Continuums of Service
4. PACE: PACE offers a platform for college and university faculty, staff, and students to explore how institutions of higher education can foster a culture of civic engagement. The conference highlights the importance of engaged scholarship, public service, and social responsibility in higher education. PACE is ideal for those working in civic engagement, service-learning, or community-based research.
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Group picture after a presentation at PACE
5. Community Engagement Institute: Community Engagement Institute (CEI), hosted by Partners in Campus and Community Engagement, hosts a conference bringing together administrators, faculty, staff, and community representatives to share innovations, research, and up-and-coming practices in the field of community engagement and service-learning.
Held in the inland Northwest, CEI is focused on improving and innovating community engagement in the communities in which they live, and they focus primarily on cultivating relationships with community partners in the Northwest region of the United States.
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Presentation during the Community Engagement Institute conference
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GivePulse's mission is to enable everyone in the world to participate and engage in lifting their community to new heights. We do so by providing a platform to list, find, organize, and measure the impact of service-learning, community engagement, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and volunteerism.
Founded in 2012 in Austin, Texas, GivePulse works with 650,000+ groups, including colleges and universities, nonprofits, businesses, K-12/school districts, and cities and municipalities. Together, we connect millions of people in an effort to create positive social change.
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