The Modern Campus Guide to eduWeb 2026: Four Conversations Shaping This Year’s Conference

A world-class digital experience has become a key competitive differentiator for colleges and universities. Learners expect a mobile-first, seamless experience that's just as intuitive as the other digital services they use every day. They won’t settle for a fragmented experience just because they’re navigating higher ed. 

Alongside these rising expectations, institutions are competing for learner attention in a crowded, AI-driven information environment. Standing out has never been harder, but it’s crucial: how an institution shows up online drives enrollment, retention, and student success.

For nearly two decades, the eduWeb Summit has brought together higher ed practitioners and industry partners to tackle these challenges. Modern Campus will be there from July 14-16.

As the challenges have evolved, so has the conference. Today, it welcomes attendees from more than 200 institutions across 50 states and around the world, with 70+ sessions spanning AI, marketing, web experience, and digital strategy.

Here are four conversations driving this year’s summit, as well as some recommended sessions that will bring them to life.

AI with purpose, not just for its own sake

AI is changing both sides of the higher education equation. As recent Modern Campus research with RNL showed, learners are increasingly turning to AI to plan for higher ed and answer questions, with 63% of high school students using AI in their college planning process. At the same time, institutions are using AI to reshape both how they’re discovered online and how they operate. This year’s eduWeb agenda moves beyond AI adoption to explore how to use AI thoughtfully and intentionally, with sessions on AI ethics, storytelling, discoverability, and governance.

On the agenda:

• Innovation Without Harm: Navigating AI Ethics in University Marketing. Thomas Fields, Assistant Director, Social Media at Santa Clara University
• The State of AI Search in Higher Ed: 7 Findings That Should Change How You Think About Visibility. Faton Sopa, Co-founder/CEO at Manaferra

Student journeys don't stop at departmental boundaries

Student communication and support happen across many campus departments, but students experience institutions as a single journey. Higher ed teams are increasingly making it a priority to connect those discrete touchpoints into a more cohesive digital experience.

On the agenda:

• From Chaos to Cohesion: Building and Implementing a Unified Brand Across Multi-Campus Systems. Lauren Donaldson, Director of Digital Compliance and Public Relations at Northshore Technical Community College
• From First Touch to Lifelong Engagement: Overcoming Challenges to Create Meaningful Journeys. Peter Cropper, Lifecycle Marketing Manager at Concorde Career College

The role of the institutional website is evolving

Higher ed websites used to be places to publish content. Now, they’re strategic engines driving institutional mission, discoverability, enrollment, and accessibility. This year's sessions explore how institutions are overcoming legacy thinking as much as legacy technology to build a stronger web presence.

On the agenda:

• It's not the CMS, it's the mindset: Reframing Digital Transformation as a Cultural Shift. Mike Hoogterp, Web & Media Developer at Sam Houston State University
• “Our Website is a Mess!” Preparing for and Leading a Major University Website Redesign. Emmaline Massaglia, Web Development Strategist at Florida State University Division of Student Affairs

Data is valuable, but only if it drives decisions

Institutions are working with more data than ever before. The challenge is knowing what to do with it—both to drive impact and demonstrate it. Throughout the conference, speakers will explore how analytics can challenge assumptions about learner behavior and improve decision-making.

On the agenda:

• Building an Engagement-First Measurement Framework for Analysis and Impact. Zoe Graham, Web Analytics Manager at Ohio University
• An Engagement Reality Check: What Marketers Think vs. What Students Say. Allison Turcio, Dean of Enrollment and Marketing at Siena University

Don’t miss our featured session

Many of the conversations at eduWeb this year center on creating more connected student experiences. Modern Campus' Eric Butler explores that challenge in From Website Maze to Magic Map: Designing Intuitive Student Journeys Across Institutional Websites. In his session, he’ll share practical strategies for designing websites around the way students actually navigate them. Attendees will come away with practical ideas for creating more intuitive institutional websites.

Taken together, these conversations offer a glimpse into where digital strategies for higher ed are headed, and how institutions are adapting to meet learners’ evolving needs.

Visit the eduWeb website to explore the full conference schedule and finalize your agenda. Whether you join us for Eric Butler's featured session or visit Modern Campus at Booth 7, we look forward to connecting with you at eduWeb this year.

Last updated: July 13, 2026