From the Classroom to the Capitol: Join Iowa’s Largest Higher Ed Advocacy Event
You've heard others talk about Visit the Hill...but what is it?
Visit The Hill is an event geared on discussing important topics across all sectors of higher education throughout the state of Iowa. The morning is for admission professionals, school counselors, CCTCs, students, and others within education to learn about different aspects of our current landscape.
The afternoon is a great opportunity for everyone to head to the Capitol to meet with their legislators to discuss topics that are important and timely in the work they are doing and the students they are assisting.
Iowa ACAC and the Iowa School Counselor Association team up to organize what has typically been one of the largest turnouts among NACAC partners with roughly 100 RSVPs per year and we are hoping to continue growing the event. Susie Hakeman from Central College has attended the Visit the Hill day every year since she started in admissions 10 years ago.
“My favorite part of Visit the Hill is catching up with colleagues from across Iowa, attending interesting sessions, and, of course, enjoying the donut
holes! I’ve attended for the past 11 years, and I always leave feeling more informed and up to date. I’d suggest others attend because it’s a great way to learn, network, and see what’s happening in higher education across the state.”
Another past attendee is Heidi Hassen, a school counselor at Iowa City's Alexander Elementary School.
“I believe that Visit the Hill is a powerful opportunity for school counselors and educators to advocate for our students with legislators. Often, legislators making decisions about schools do not have direct contact with people who are serving the very students they make decisions for. There is a lot of old information about school counselors and what we do. When we advocate for our profession and for students, it helps legislators understand our work better as well as the needs of the students. If we don't speak up, who will? Advocacy is a part of our professional obligation to our students and that includes legislative advocacy that affects education systems.”
The 2026 Visit the Hill event takes place on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Check out the speakers, agenda, and register at the link below!
You'll also find our Travel Scholarship which will help with some of the costs of getting you and your students to Des Moines.
Questions? Reach out to Tyler Poldervaart at [email protected] or reach out to our Iowa ACAC email [email protected].
See you on The Hill!