Membership in SCUP benefits not only individuals with planning responsibilities, but also their institutions and organizations in multiple ways. Rapid change is placing greater demands on both planning and planners. To address this challenge, SCUP takes a leadership role in defining and articulating planning's knowledge base with the implementation of three planning academies. The Society's academies focus on three broad functional areas of higher education. SCUP's academies also identify cross-functional issues, such as strategic planning, technology, diversity, productivity, quality, and accountability.
Members align with one or more academies that reflect their planning interests.
Society membership is open to all higher education planning professionals. The Society's international membership represents more than 30 countries worldwide. To facilitate networking, communications, and professional development, SCUP is organized into six geographical regions . Each elects a regional representative to the Society's Board of Directors. Each region offers programs and activities designed to bring the Society closer to its members and to develop local and regional networks.