2026 RMACAC Annual Conference
April 13-15, 2026Tucson Marriott University Park
Tucson, AZ
In 2026, RMACAC will be in Tucson, AZ for our annual conference and invite all high school counselors, college admission professionals, independent education consultants, college and career counselors, and anyone who works with students going through the college search and admissions processes!
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Hotel InformationAnnual Conference 2026 host hotel is the Tucson Marriott University Park. The hotel block deadline has passed. Hotel Block Closed
Conference Schedule *Schedule is subject to change
Conference schedule features:
Educational Sessions Our annual conference will offer 40+ sessions including some Special Interest Groups (SIGs). We are excited about the slate of sessions that will be available for conference attendees. Conference ResourcesResources will become available in the new year and will be available online and emailed to membership.Benefits of Attending Conference Conference Schedule 2026 Educational Sessions Educational Sessions Schedule
Food and BeverageRMACAC will provide some meals during the conference. This information will be shared on the RMACAC website once confirmed.
Keynote SpeakerRMACAC is excited to welcome Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera as our Keynote Speaker at the 2026 RMACAC Conference. Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera is a nationally recognized leader in public higher education, celebrated for his executive leadership and policy advocacy. As President of Northern Arizona University (NAU) since June 2021, he has advanced the Elevating Excellence roadmap to boost access, affordability, and student success. Under his guidance, NAU has reached record enrollment, reformed admissions and financial aid, improved retention and graduation rates, tripled fundraising, and forged statewide partnerships. Previously, Dr. Cruz Rivera served as President of Herbert H. Lehman College and as Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost for CUNY, the nation’s largest urban university system. He has also been Provost at California State University, Fullerton; Vice President for Higher Education Policy and Practice at The Education Trust; and Chief Student Affairs Officer for the University of Puerto Rico system, where he advanced to Chair and Dean at UPR Mayagüez. An accomplished scholar in electrical engineering and computing, he continues to mentor as a Professor at NAU. A steadfast advocate for equity, he has testified before Congress, advised policymakers, and secured funding from organizations such as NSF, Lumina Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His leadership has been highlighted in outlets like The New York Times. Dr. Cruz Rivera also serves on key boards, including NACIQI and the Arizona State Board of Education, reflecting his commitment to inclusion and the transformative power of higher education. Born in Puerto Rico and educated at UPR Mayagüez and Georgia Tech, his career underscores a lifelong dedication to public service.
Pre-Conference ActivitiesCampus ToursThe Catholic University of America Tucson- Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00pm University of Arizona- Monday, April 13, 2026 from 8:00am-12:00pm Arizona State University - Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 2:00pm-4:00pm *A note for those interested in the Arizona State University tour: ASU planned this event for counselors starting in the Phoenix area. Counselors flying in should arrive at Phoenix Airport. If enough attendees register, ASU will provide transportation to Tucson for the RMACAC conference. Neither ASU nor RMACAC will provide transportation after the conference back to the Phoenix area; attendees flying home after the conference should plan to depart from the Tucson Airport, or provide their own transportation back to Phoenix. If you are a local institution in Tucson and wish to open your campus to college tours before or after Annual Conference 2026, please reach out to Sara Strickland. First Timers SessionThe RMACAC board will host a lunch for first timers just before the conference officially begins. During the luncheon, you'll discover more about RMACAC's activities and how you can participate. We will also share valuable advice and best practices to enhance your conference experience. Additionally, you'll have the chance to network with current RMACAC board members, mentors, and other first-time attendees. RSVP required. Invite will be sent prior to the event to conference attendees who have registered as first timers. Counselor College FairUniversity representatives and high school counselors and IECs will be able to network at our Counselor College Fair. High school counselors and IECs attending conference do not need to register in order to attend. College professionals will need to register for the college fair when registering for the conference. University representatives are encouraged to bring materials to share. We will use StriveScan scanning technology so high school counselors and IECs will be able to be scanned. Post-secondary participants will receive instructions on how to scan prior to the event from StriveScan. Each university will be allowed one table and up to two representatives for the counselor college fair. Cost to register is $75 per table (2 reps max per table). Volunteer at ConferenceInterested in helping RMACAC at Annual Conference? Information will be shared with registered attendees in March 2026. Volunteer
Sponsors and ExhibitorsSponsorship MenuSponsorship Registration
Contact RMACAC Advancement Chair, Abby Tudor, for more information. |
