As we gather for the 2027 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Arlington, Virginia, we do so at a moment that requires bold, intentional leadership in graduate education.

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Our conference theme—Leading Intentional Change in Graduate Education—highlights vision as a defining leadership skill. Graduate education leaders are navigating rapid and complex changes, including the rise of generative AI, evolving federal policies (such as financial aid limits, transparency requirements, and grant funding shifts), constraints on international student mobility, the emergence of 90-credit bachelor’s degrees, administrative interest in OPMs, and other changes that are impacting graduate admissions, student success and wellness, and graduate programs.

Amid these shifts, institutions must balance responsiveness with their enduring mission: fostering deep disciplinary knowledge and advanced critical thinking in graduate students. This dynamic creates critical tensions between innovation and academic depth; expediency and rigor; traditional preparation and workforce readiness. Grounded in the energy and policy context of the Washington, DC region, this conference will equip participants with practical strategies to lead confidently through uncertainty and change.

Proposal Focus

We invite proposals for breakout sessions that align with the conference theme and emphasize actionable approaches to intentional leadership in graduate education. Sessions should ideally focus on sharing best practices, practical tools, and lessons learned.

We especially welcome proposals addressing:

1. Leading faculty and program adaptation/development with intentionality in response to changing academic and workforce demands

2. Leveraging generative AI to enhance graduate school operations and team effectiveness

3. Building leadership capacity within graduate education teams and/or graduate students

4. Navigating the tension between efficiency and deep learning/knowledge development

5. Creating new models for mentoring, student funding, and student success

Submission Encouragements

We strongly encourage:

• Collaborative proposals across two or more institutions

• Sessions that incorporate interactive or engaged learning approaches

• Practical sessions with clear takeaways attendees can implement immediately

Who Should Submit

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Graduate school professionals—including faculty, staff, assistant/associate deans, and deans of graduate schools—are invited to submit proposals.