Dear NISTS Community,

Many higher education institutions and organizations are facing difficult decisions based on budgetary constraints, and NISTS is one of them.

The funding model that has sustained us from our inception has shifted, leaving us unclear of our organization’s viability beyond this fiscal year. While unanticipated, we view this situation as an opportunity. Therefore, we are intentionally pausing our typical work to consider our future – specifically, how we can best serve the transfer community.

Because this work is time-sensitive, strategic, and ever-evolving, we have made the difficult decision to cancel NISTS 2025 in Portland. We do not take this decision lightly, as it marks the first time in 22 years that we will not host our signature event.

We understand this news may be disappointing; however, we want to assure you that we are still committed to you, our transfer community, and remain steadfast in our desire to support you.

In thinking about the conference, we recognize the value it brings:

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• The opportunity for transfer colleagues to connect and network,

• A platform for presenters to share their invaluable transfer knowledge and get feedback on their work,

• A chance for newcomers to immerse themselves in the transfer field and be welcomed into an incredible community, and

• A public venue to celebrate exceptional transfer champions and outstanding transfer students.

We are exploring alternative ways to periodically facilitate interactions and learning opportunities throughout the year, including hot-topic webinars, resource spotlights, and colleague check-ins. We're committed to ensuring that our entire community receives the support and resources needed to thrive in your roles - this includes both regular attendees and those who have yet to join us at a conference.

In the coming weeks, we'll share more details about these virtual events and information on our revised awards process, as well as solicit your ideas and feedback about the next iteration of NISTS. Our first step to staying connected and informed is sharing a crowd-sourced list of transfer-related professional development opportunities we hope you will contribute to. We also encourage you to explore the NISTS conference archives, which include videos, slides, and handouts from the past three events (including NISTS 2024!).

Thank you for respecting our decision and for your continued dedication to transfer student success. As we approach the months ahead with cautious optimism about the future of NISTS, we are honored to continue walking alongside you in this important work.

A set of FAQs is provided below, and we encourage you to email us with any additional questions.

With deep respect for you and your work,
The NISTS Team

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FAQs

Why was NISTS 2025 canceled?
NISTS is in a period of reflection and strategic research about our path forward, and our small but mighty team simply cannot do that and manage the demands of executing a conference at the same time. We dedicated significant time to exploring multiple alternatives but could not find a reasonable scenario for hosting the conference.

Will there be any alternative NISTS-sponsored events this year?
But of course! We recently released the media kit for National Transfer Student Week and are actively planning an array of learning and connection opportunities, including hot-topic webinars, resource spotlights, and colleague check-ins. We are also creating a crowd-sourced list of transfer-related professional development opportunities. Finally, we encourage you to explore the NISTS conference archives, which include videos, slides, and handouts from the past three events (including NISTS 2024!).

How can I receive updates about future NISTS events?
Please ensure you are subscribed to our mailing list (sign up at the bottom of this page) and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. We will share updates and information about future events and initiatives through these platforms.

Will there be a NISTS Conference in 2026?
For now, all future conference planning is on hold. As we consider our future activities, providing transfer professionals with relevant learning and engagement opportunities remains a top priority.

How can I continue to support NISTS and its mission?
Your support is invaluable. You can continue to engage with NISTS by participating in our virtual events, sharing our resources, and providing feedback as we create the next iteration of NISTS.

Who can I contact for more information or specific concerns?
For any additional questions or concerns, please email us at: nists@ung.edu

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