2026 MAASU Leadership Summit

Leadership Summit is open to undergraduate students interested in leadership development, community building, and connecting with the broader APIDA community. Students do not need to attend a MAASU Member School to participate.

Whether you're a current student organization leader, Membership Representative (M-Rep), emerging leader, a freshman, or simply interested in becoming more involved, Leadership Summit is designed to help you build skills and relationships you can bring back to your campus

Registration rates for the 2026 Leadership Summit are:

• University of Kansas students: $25

• Students from MAASU Member Schools: $35

• Students from non-member schools: $45

There is one registration rate for each category rather than separate early- and late-registration rates!

Registration provides access to Leadership Summit programming throughout the day, including the opening ceremony and keynote, leadership workshops, family activities, the Night Market and Cultural Show, and closing programming.

Refreshments are planned during check-in, with additional food and vendor opportunities associated with the Night Market.

Additional details about food and what is included with registration will be shared as plans are finalized.

No! Students from non-member institutions are welcome to register for Leadership Summit.

Students attending a MAASU Member School receive the member-school registration rate.

Leadership Summit programming is scheduled from approximately 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Check-in begins at 11:00 AM, followed by the opening ceremony and keynote at noon. Workshops and leadership activities will take place throughout the afternoon, followed by the Night Market, Cultural Show, and closing ceremony in the evening.

A detailed schedule will be available on the Leadership Summit webpage.

The 2026 MAASU Leadership Summit will be hosted by the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Specific campus buildings and room locations will be shared with registered attendees once locations are finalized.

Leadership Summit is designed as an interactive leadership-development experience rather than a traditional conference.

Throughout the day, participants will have opportunities to:

• Participate in leadership and professional-development workshops

• Explore connections among leadership, culture, community, and identity

• Hear from a keynote speaker

• Meet student leaders from universities across the Midwest

• Participate in a Summit Family

• Connect with other MAASU Membership Representatives

• Participate in community-building activities

• Experience the Night Market and Cultural Show

• Celebrate APIDA cultures and communities

The 2026 Leadership Summit will feature multiple workshop blocks focused on the connections among leadership, culture, community, and professional development.

Topics and presenters will be announced as the workshop schedule is finalized.

The Membership Representative, or M-Rep Convening is dedicated time for MAASU Membership Representatives to connect with one another during Leadership Summit.

The convening provides an opportunity for M-Reps to build relationships across campuses, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections between their student organizations and the broader MAASU community.

Summit Families are small groups that help participants build community throughout the conference.

You'll meet your family during check-in and have opportunities to reconnect throughout the day for activities, conversations, and friendly competition. Family groups are intended to make it easier to meet participants from other schools rather than spending the entire Summit only with people from your own campus.

Families will also participate in a closing cultural activity together.

The Night Market is an evening community and cultural experience featuring local vendors and opportunities to connect with other Summit attendees in a more casual environment.

The Night Market will be incorporated into the evening programming alongside cultural performances.

Vendor information will be announced as participants are confirmed.

The Cultural Show is part of Leadership Summit's evening programming and will feature performances celebrating culture, community, and the diversity of the APIDA experience.

The performer lineup will be announced closer to the Summit.

Wear business casual for a full day of workshops, activities, and networking.

There will be a break before the evening programming when participants can change into more casual clothing for the Night Market and Cultural Show.

Additional attire guidance will be communicated to registered participants if needed.

Refreshments are planned during check-in, and the Night Market is expected to include food vendors.

Additional information about food availability and what is included with registration will be shared with registered participants as details are finalized.

If you have dietary or accessibility needs, please indicate them during registration when applicable.

Campus arrival, parking, and transportation information will be provided to registered participants before Leadership Summit.

Attendees traveling from outside Lawrence should plan for transportation to and from the University of Kansas campus.

Leadership Summit plans to include giveaways and interactive activities throughout the event. Additional information may be announced through MAASU's conference social media leading up to the Summit.

MAASU and the Leadership Summit host team plan to document the conference through photography and other media.

Additional information regarding photography and conference media will be communicated to attendees as appropriate.

Yes! Student organizations and campus delegations are encouraged to attend Leadership Summit together.

Leadership Summit also intentionally creates opportunities for participants to meet students from other institutions through workshops, Summit Families, the M-Rep Convening, and evening programming.

The Leadership Summit MAASU Conference instagram will serve as the primary location for conference information, including schedule updates, speakers, workshops, travel information, vendors, performers, and other announcements.

For questions that are not answered above, please contact the MAASU Leadership Summit team at kuaasuevp@gmail.com. 

Please include your name, university, and a brief description of your question so the appropriate team member can assist you.