The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) is pleased to announce Cengage and CollegeVine as title sponsors of its 2026 CUMU Conference, Anchored in Purpose.

CUMU will convene its annual conference in Houston, TX, November 8–11, 2026. This year’s theme explores how urban and metropolitan colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to advance opportunity, strengthen communities, and shape the future of their regions.

“I want to thank Cengage for their continued support of our conference and to welcome CollegeVine as a new partner,” said Valerie Holton, CUMU chief executive officer. “Support from Cengage and CollegeVine is essential in helping CUMU create a necessary space where higher education leaders and partners can come together to discuss what’s working and gain new insights for what’s possible for a brighter future,” added Holton.

“Our partnership with CUMU will give us new insights into what higher education leaders need to create value for their students and communities,” said Staci Powers, Vice President Cengage Institutional. “Students are at the core of our shared mission, and together we have an opportunity to help shape higher education’s future.”

Cengage helps higher education instructors, learners and institutions thrive with course materials built around their needs. As one of the largest edtech companies in the world, Cengage provides digital products and services to millions of students, equipping them with skills and competencies needed to advance their education and careers and improve their lives.

“CUMU’s members are deeply committed to creating opportunities for their students and strengthening the communities they serve, and we are very proud to support that mission,” said Vinay Bhaskara, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of CollegeVine. “Through this partnership, we will help CUMU members reimagine their campus operations, improving efficiency, expanding capacity, and creating better experiences for students and staff alike.”

CollegeVine is an AI operating system that helps higher education institutions unify their data, model their operations, and deploy AI across campus. Their solutions span advancement, enrollment, finance, and student success, allowing higher education professionals to focus on the decision making and relationship building that really matters.

Learn more about the 2026 CUMU Conference here.