2026-29 Strategic Plan

Goal: Redesign NACA conference experiences to serve the needs of NACA members, centering school members.

Objectives:

• Reimagine and expand opportunities within the NACA In-Person Business Ecosystem to foster greater engagement and impact.
• Examine and implement aspects of event design that maximize conference attendance and engagement.
• Determine strategies for enhancing business connections to increase access to on-trend experiences.
• Foster intentional networking opportunities to deepen attendee connections and collaborations.
• Explore which skills, learning opportunities, and experiences attendees want to gain from a conference experience.

Goal: Evaluate the regional structure to ensure it provides valued-added experiences for NACA members through meaningful volunteer experiences and localized in-person offerings.

Objectives:

• Engage volunteers and members to determine a long-term sustainable structure for regional engagement.
• Pilot localized experiences that leverage local resources and foster connections between NACA members.

Goal: Establish NACA as the go-to association for professionals to cultivate, learn, develop and transform into experts in the field.

Objectives:

• Create tangible, competency-based resources, trainings, and opportunities that provide Campus Activities professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practice to be highly effective campus leaders.
• Offer tailored educational and engagement opportunities for entry-level and early-career professionals, empowering their growth into skilled and experienced leaders in fostering belonging beyond the classroom.
• Strengthen the education and engagement around NACA Connect, establishing it as a premier online resource for professionals to network, share ideas, and benchmark best practices.
• Embed NACA-developed competencies in professional development opportunities, initiatives, and programs to enhance the capacity of campus leaders to foster inclusive environments.
• Leverage NACA's resources/experiences to be the premier professional development opportunities for school members, volunteers, and associates to enhance the ability to foster thriving campus communities.

Goal: Champion the impact of Campus Activities as a critical catalyst for student persistence and retention by creating communities where everyone belongs.

Objectives:

• Curate resources for members that demonstrate the impact of Campus Activities, sense of belonging, and their relationship with student retention and persistence.
• Foster a culture of advocacy by equipping school members with data and frameworks to demonstrate the benefits of involvement in Campus Activities experiences at their institutions.
• Further NACA as the preeminent recognized leader in campus belonging that provides knowledge, ideas, and resources for building inclusive communities through research-driven insights that demonstrate the importance of Campus Activities.