The NASPA Graduate Case Study Competition is now open for this year. This is an opportunity for graduate students to showcase skills and knowledge of the field of student affairs. Graduate students may form a team of 2 to 3 students to participate in NASPA’s virtual case study competition. The winning case study team will have the opportunity to present their process, findings, and approaches at the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference.
This competition will be held virtually and will require teams to review, analyze, and respond to a thought-provoking case relevant to the field of student affairs in higher education. Participants will be given a case and will be asked to submit their analysis and response as a presentation via a team video. Presentations should include a review of ethical, moral, and legal considerations that influenced the team’s response as well as any action steps as outlined in the case study provided.
Members of the winning team will not only have a spot on the program of the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference to present, they will also receive waived registration for the conference!
Important Details:
- Teams should be comprised of 2 to 3 current graduate students and must indicate support from a faculty sponsor.
- Teams must be registered to participate by November 7, 2025.
- Teams will receive the case by November 11, 2025.
- Teams will have until December 8, 2025 to complete and submit their case studies via a link to a video of a presentation of their responses to the case.
- Videos of the team presentations (20 minutes maximum length) will be posted to YouTube by the teams.
- A panel of judges comprised of practitioners and faculty with experience and expertise in student affairs will review and score the cases based on a rubric that will focus on:
- Identification of issues and problems
- Understanding of the context and the connection and application of theory, research, and scholarly practice literature
- Recommendations for practice, including strategies and solutions
- Winners will be announced no later than January 10, 2026.
- Winning teams will earn bragging rights and have an opportunity to present at NASPA’s annual conference in 2026.
Teams must register through the NASPA website at https://naspa.secure-platform.com/applications/solicitations/557/home The deadline to register a team is November 7.
If you have any questions about this competition, please contact Dallin Young at dallin@uga.edu