The Institute for Student Services Professionals (ISSP) was formed in 2004 through a partnership of six higher education leaders from Belmont University, Pepperdine University, Temple University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Washington. 

Through the years, ISSP has grown and evolved, but the focus has always been on providing opportunities for our colleagues in higher education student services to develop, grow, and learn.

As part of ISSP’s evolution, an online Google Group forum was created for members to connect and learn from one another, and recently ISSP began offering online webinars. ISSP is also a proud donor to iMentor, whose mission is to build mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students to graduate high school, succeed in high school and career, and achieve their ambitions.

Hosting an annual conference for student services colleagues since 2005 has been a featured event as ISSP leadership collaborates with a host institution to highlight their integrated student services model and offers an operational tour with a “behind the scenes” perspective.

Past conferences and host institutions have included:

2023 - UNC Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

2022 - University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX

2021 - Virtual event

2020 - Virtual event

2019 - Florida International University - Miami, FL

2018 - The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

2017 - Salem State University - Salem, MA

2016 - University of Tennessee - Knoxville, TN

2015 - University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN

2014 - Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA

2013 - McGill University - Montreal, Canada

2012 - University of San Diego - San Diego, CA

2011 - University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN

2010 - University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA

2008 - University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN

2006 - Belmont University - Nashville, TN

2006 - Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA

2005 - University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA