What's Next?

Thank you for your interest in AAC&U’s annual Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success (DESS)!

We are excited to announce that in April 2025, AAC&U will launch its newest event—the Conference on Learning and Student Success (CLASS)—bringing together audiences of two of AAC&U’s most popular thematic conferences, the DESS Conference and the Conference on General Education, Pedagogy, and Assessment (GEPA). This powerful combination of programs and communities is an example of AAC&U practicing what we preach: tearing down siloes to promote collaboration, innovation, and transformation to reimagine undergraduate education.

About the Change

The decision to create this new event was in large part the result of pivotal feedback provided by past conference attendees and AAC&U community members who recognized the integral connection between DESS and GEPA. Both conferences attract a diverse cross-section of institutional leaders, faculty, and higher education professionals whose work is dedicated to the development and success of all students.

What's Next?

CLASS will provide you and your colleagues with the opportunity to focus on exploring effective practices, identifying solutions to emerging challenges, and leading change for the common good, not only elevating the very best of DESS and GEPA but also catalyzing new connections and conversations that are necessary if we are to truly succeed in making our vision of educational excellence a reality.