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Message from the Chair
As Chair of the 2020 Western Regional Conference (WRC), I am excited to announce that we plan to continue with the tradition of our conference this Fall, pivoting and offering a virtual platform for WRC this year.
The brilliant WRC Committee is determined to shift and offer a unique virtual experience with relevant major speakers, programs from colleagues across our region, opportunity to celebrate our region awardees and provide an opportunity for us to be in community as we move Together Towards Tomorrow, this year’s conference theme.
We are looking forward to examining critical topics such as Black Lives Matter, the national elections, pandemic and remote responsiveness and more. In preparation, you will receive additional details in the coming weeks as we build toward the November conference. I invite you to join us and take advantage of this unique experience in an intentional and gratifying way.
Rameen Talesh Ed.D.
NASPA WRC 2020 Conference Chair
Click here to meet the NASPA Western Regional Conference Committee for 2020!
Keynote Speaker
On April 19, 1989, a young woman in the prime of her life was brutally raped and left for dead in New York City’s Central Park. Five boys – four black and one Latino – were tried and convicted of the crime in a frenzied case that rocked the city. They became known collectively as “The Central Park Five”.
Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after spending between seven (7) and thirteen (13) years of their lives behind bars. The unidentified DNA in the Central Park Jogger Case, unlinked to any of the five, had finally met its owner, a convicted murderer and serial rapist who confessed. The convictions of the boys, now men, were overturned and they were exonerated. One of those boys, Yusef Salaam, was just 15 years old when his life was upended and changed forever.
Since his release, Yusef has committed himself to advocating and educating people on the issues of false confessions, police brutality and misconduct, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system. In 2013, documentarians Ken and Sarah Burns released the documentary “The Central Park Five,” which told of this travesty from the perspective of Yusef and his cohorts. In 2014, The Central Park Five received a multi-million dollar settlement from the city of New York for its grievous injustice against them. Yusef was awarded an Honorary Doctorate that same year and received the President’s Life Time Achievement Award in 2016 from President Barack Obama.
He was appointed to the board of the Innocence Project in 2018, and has released a Netflix Feature limited series called “When They See Us” based on the true story of the “Central Park Five” with Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey and Robert De Niro, in May of 2019.
Major Speaker
In August 2020, Michael V. Drake, M.D. was appointed as the 21st president of the University of California. He oversees UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.
Drake previously served as president of The Ohio State University (OSU) from 2014 through June 2020. Prior to his six years at OSU, he served in several roles at the University of California including nine years as chancellor of UC Irvine and five years as the systemwide vice president for health affairs.
Drake received his A.B. from Stanford University, his M.D. and residency from UCSF, and his fellowship training in ophthalmology at UCSF and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He subsequently spent more than two decades on the faculty of the UCSF School of Medicine, ultimately as the Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmology.
Featured Sessions
Concurrent Session 1 (Nov. 12, 12:00pm-12:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| A Conceptual Model for the Academic Success of Military Nursing Students of Color | Paul Tontz, Jenna Reyes |
| A Summary of Learning Points from Five Graduate Courses in Student Affairs Highlighting Strategic Planning Partnerships | Chris Lucas |
| Allyship at Work: Supporting and Supervising Your Trans Colleagues | Em Doolittle |
| Constant Flux: Navigating and Leading Through Change Continuously | Lorene Fisher |
| Designing Counterspaces for Students Through Co-curricular and Extracurricular Opportunities | Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo, Christina Hernandez |
| Graduate and Professional Student Dialogues: Creating an Empowering Space to Capture Student Intersectional Identities and Lived Experiences | Mariann Sanchez, Caitlin Hayles |
| How Faculty and Student Affairs Educators Can Work Together to Amplify the Voices of International Students | Helen Choi, Harly Ramsey |
| Near-peer coaching and success for low-income students at California State University Stanislaus | Joseph Diggins, Gabriela Nuño, Ashely Mansfield |
| Partnering for Student Success: A Transformative Leadership and Social Justice Model For Serving Asian Pacific Islander Desi American /APIDA Students | Jacob Chacko, Jennifer A. Yee, Vy Le, Gleanne Kienzler |
| Reflecting on Reflection: Practical Tips for Accessing the Magic Mirror of Meaning | Chris Crippen |
| Should I Stay or Should I Go? A Qualitative Analysis Examining Factors Influencing Freshman Time to Degree | Avery Olson, Erika Kato |
| Supporting Students with Disabilities on College Campuses | Patricia Violi |
SA Speaks Session 1 (Nov 12, 12:00pm-12:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| Ke Ala Pono- A Kanaka Maoli’s Perspective on Her Path in Student Affairs | 'Ihilani Lasconia |
| Everything I'm Not, Made Me Everything I Am: Finding Your Leadership Voice | Dennis Denman |
| Family Reunions During COVID & Black Lives Matter | Gleanne Kienzler |
| Experiences of a Thai-Mexican Up and Coming Student Affairs Professional | Andrew Mutsalklisana |
Concurrent Session 2 (Nov 12, 1:00pm-1:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| Addressing Psychosocial Needs : Men of Color in a Rural Context | Adrian Huerta, Jude Paul Dizon, Maritza Salazar |
| Building Your Queendom: Femtorship Strategies that create space for womxn of color | Teaja Smith, Tashiana Bryant |
| Collaboration is Key: Student and Academic Affairs Partner to Improve Student Success at Cal Poly Pomona | Leticia Guzman Scott, MBA, Dr. Sara Garver, Dr. Eileen G. Sullivan, Kristin Gurrola |
| Community Colleges and Student Affairs: Pathways Partnerships and Possibilities | Kathryn (Kate) Mueller, Michael Morvice, Derek Vergara |
| Dreams of Tomorrow: Late Night Programming Reshaping Student Life | Nada Elauri |
| E Hui Pū Kākou- Strengthening Campuses through transforming Community Conduct in the Era of COVID | 'Ihilani Lasconia |
| Identity Matters: Using Intergroup Dialogue Techniques to Examine and Support the Intersections of Personal and Professional Identity in Advising | Avery Olson, Adriana Ruiz Alvarado |
| Living for Tomorrow: Students’ Safety and Substance Use at Large Scale Events | Devon Sakamoto, Anh Pham, Naime Laskar, Marisol Torres |
| Rethinking a Campus Approach to Sexual Assault Awareness Month | Kim Camacho, Matt Isbell, Diana Costanzo |
| Speak Logic Model to Me: Tools Used to Elevate Peer Led Programs! | Christina Hernandez, Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo |
| Understanding the Role of Institutional Agents in Supporting Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity. | Kathryn Hsieh |
| Where They Ought To Be: Tools for Combating Deficit Thinking with Minoritized Students | Michael Paz, Ariadne Cheng |
SA Speaks Session 2 (Nov 12, 1:05pm-1:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| Streetwise Scholars: Transformative Practices for Formerly Incarcerated Students | Dr. Melissa Abeyta |
| Stockton: Healing the Reputation of America's Most Diverse City | Robert "Robby" Teczon |
| How to Gain Respect When You're the Black Sheep: The Story Of a Young, Queer Professional | Kassandra "Kass" Moore |
| Flourishing As a Student Affairs Professional: Heart, Mind, and Soul Alignment | Imee Diego DuBose |
Concurrent Session 3 (Nov 12, 3:00pm-3:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| #AdultingWhileBlackOnCampus: Racism and the personal development of Black college students | Sarah Kutten |
| Data-Driven Coaching: Promoting Socially Responsible Leadership in Tomorrow’s Leaders | Bob Just, Shamawn Wright, Jessica Alva |
| Engaging Students in Online Environments: Tactics for creating community and a sense of belonging online | Kayla Krupnick Walsh |
| Exploring Multiracial Students’ Racialized Experiences in Greek Life at Land Grant Institutions | Matthew Jeffries, Dan Welter, Marina Mantos |
| Graduate School Success: Supporting Students to Flourish in their First Year | Rachel Camacho, Heather Case, Shelby Lamar, David Estudiante |
| Intersectionality & Supporting Multiethnic Students: Moving from Theory to Praxis | Lorene Fisher, Charah Coleman |
| Out and Proud Leadership - Shattering the Lavender Ceiling: Queering Higher Education & Leveraging Your Queer Identity to Build Capital | Christopher Potts, Dr. Clint-Michael Reneau |
| Politics in a Name: Towards an Inclusive Approach to Cultural Center Names | Ariana Mora Mero, Elda Padilla |
| Strategies for Encouraging Student Employee Advocacy & Civic Engagement | Eve Millett, Jordan Abanto |
| Transcending Campus Boundaries: Partnerships for Student Success Now and Tomorrow | Lea Jarnagin, Henoc Preciado |
Concurrent Session 4 (Nov 12, 4:00pm-4:50pm)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| Advancing Equity for our Future: Student Agency Model | Arlan Mendiola, Katherine Canales-Molina, Cory Fong, Clarissa Molina, Ananda Brooks |
| Assessing Online Learning: Defining Exploring and Choosing Appropriate Assessment Methods | Annie Cole |
| Building the Mentoring Model for Latino Male Doctoral Students | Edgar Lopez |
| Centering Care in a time of Uncertainty: Strategies for supporting students staff and faculty during COVID-19 | Sara Caldwell-Kan, Nicole Hindes, Bonnie Hemrick |
| Connecting the Uninvolved: New Ways to Promote Student Organizations | Adam Daniels |
| Design a summit to provide faculty and staff practical strategies to cultivate First-Generation Student Success and enhance their sense of belonging. | Mariann Sanchez, Ariela Canizal, Adan Sanchez |
| Empowering Men of Color in Higher Education: A Focus on Psychological Social and Cultural Factors | Adrian Huerta, Julie Nguyen, Maria Romero-Morales, Jude Paul Dizon, Maritza Salazar |
| Inclusive Hiring: Implementing Good Change in Organizational Practices | Laura Igram, Christopher Barragan |
| Intercollegiate Coronavirus Group: Brainstorming with Insomniac Deans | Piya Bose, Jennifer Miller, Juan Regalado, Michael Paul Wong |
| Keeping communities together while apart: Supporting student success in a virtual world | Connie Moreno Yamashiro, Gabi Cuna, Karina Villa |
| Using Design Thinking to Work Together Towards a Better Mission Statement | Spencer Atkinson, Leslie Peek, Lynn Fowler |
Concurrent Session 5 (Nov 13, 10:00am-10:50am)
Program Title |
Presenter(s) |
| A Look at Student-Initiated Programs & Their Contribution to Student Development | Xiomara Lopez, Eric Palacios |
| Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in the College Experience | Michelle Tagorda, Chris Cabading, Edmel Ronquillo |
| Building Solidarity: Narratives of Multiracial Professionals and Transracial Adoptees in Higher Education | Marina Hara Mantos, Hannah Hyun White, Sara Caldwell-Kan, Willa Mei Kurland, Jennifer Ellingwood |
| Equity leader essentials: What you need to know to lead equity work | Jennifer Laflam, Tanika Byrd, Pam Chao |
| Freedom of Expression and Graduate Student Protestors: What We Can Learn From the COLA Movement | Melissa Barthelemy, JD, MA, Jill Dunlap |
| Let the Beat Build: The Intersections of Advising and Hip Hop | Luis Lopez, Ian Zamora |
| NASPA Public Policy Division | Darlene Esparza, Jill Creighton |
| Responding with Critical Empathy in Turbulent Times | Lorene Fisher, Onar Primirivo |
| She Leads with Strength: How Women Overcome Bias and Adversity in Higher Education | Audra Grady Verrier |
| Student Affairs and Student Organizations Working Together Toward Tomorrow | Shishei Tsang, Kayla Wiechert |
| VPSA Confidential: Lessons learned during Fall 2020 for Small Colleges & Universities | Anna Gonzalez, Paul Bennion, Robin Holmes-Sullivan, Sharon Basso, Allison Jerome |
Registration & Rates
All conference attendees must register for the conference. In order to attend the various institutes offered, attendees must be registered for the conference. Institute rates are listed below and are an additional cost to registration. For registration questions, please contact naspawrc@naspa.org.
Type - Conference Registration |
Rate |
| NASPA Member | $50 |
| Non-Member | $150 |
| Student/Retiree | $25 |
Type - Institute |
Rate |
| NUFP Institute (NUFP only) | FREE - no additional cost, conference registration required |
| Graduate Student Institute | $10 |
| New Professionals Institute | $15 |
| Mid-Level Professionals Institute | $15 |
| Community College Professionals Institute | $15 |
| Assistant/Associate Vice President & Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) Institute | $20 |
| Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO) Institute | $20 |
Conference Schedule
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 (Pre-Conference)
| 9:00am (PST) | Silent Auction Opens |
| 10:00am - 12:00pm (PST) | Institutes Begin (NUFP, Graduate Student, New Professionlas, Mid-Level, & Community College) |
| 10:00am - 12:00pm (PST) | AVP Institute (AVP) Intro, Competencies, and AVP Panel |
| 1:00pm - 2:30pm (PST) | AVP Institute (AVP) Current Issues Focus: Leading, Supervising, and Budgeting |
| 1:30pm - 3:30pm (PST) | Institutes Continue (NUFP, Graduate Student, New Professionlas, Mid-Level, & Community College) |
| 3:00pm - 5:30pm (PST) | Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Session |
| 4:00pm (PST) | Awards Reception |
| TBA | Associate/Assistant Vice President (AVP) Institute |
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 (Veteran's Day)
| All Day | Silent Auction Opens |
| 10:00am - 12:00am (PST) | Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Session |
| 3:00pm - 5:30pm (PST) | Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Session |
| 5:00pm (PST) | Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Reception |
Thursday, November 12, 2020
| All Day | Silent Auction Opens |
| 10:00am - 11:30am (PST) | Conference Opening & Featured Speaker Yusef Salaam |
| 11:30am - 12:00pm (PST) | Break |
| 12:00pm - 12:50pm (PST) | Concurrent Sessions #1 & SA Speaks #1 |
| 1:00pm - 1:50pm (PST) | Concurrent Sessions #2 |
| 2:00pm - 2:50pm (PST) | Break |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm (PST) | (AVP) Supporting Mental Health & Staff Morale In Times of Crisis |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm (PST) | Exhibitor/Sponsor Meet & Greet |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm (PST) | Institutes Check-in |
| 3:00pm - 3:50pm (PST) | Concurrent Sessions #3 |
| 4:00pm - 4:50pm (PST) | Concurrent Sessions #4 |
| 5:00pm (PST) | Featured Speaker: University of California President, Dr. Michael V. Drake |
| 6:00pm (PST) | Receptions |
| TBA | Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Meeting |
Friday, November 13, 2020
| 9:00am - 10:00am (PST) | Institutes Check-in |
| 9:00am - 10:30am (PST) | (AVP) VP Panel: Digital Leaders as a SSAO |
| 10:00am - 11:00am (PST) | Concurrent Session #5 |
| 11:00am - 11:50am (PST) | NASPA News featuring Dr. Angela Batista & Dr. Kevin Kruger |
| 12:00pm (PST) | Silent Auction Closes |
| 12:00pm - 1:30pm (PST) | Conference Closing & Panel of Presidents Featuring: Dr. Angelica Garcia, Dr. Maria Klawe, and Dr. Judy Sakaki |
Featured Speakers
Register Online for NASPA Western Regional Conference
The theme of the 2020 NASPA Western Regional Conference is together towards tomorrow.
Pre-Conference Institutes
NUFP (NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program) Institute
If you are a NASPA Undergraduate Fellow, start your conference experience here! The NUFP Institute takes place over two days starting on Nov 10. To honor our conference theme, our cohort will build bridges to professional practices and skills, create connections to each other and participants in the other institutes, and support you in identifying next steps to your academic and professional goals. The institute will also introduce you to current and diverse Student Affairs practitioners, many of whom are NUFP alumni and friends, who will share their wisdom and coach you through your institute experience. Register early to secure your spot!
NOTE: Your status as a NUFP Fellow does not guarantee you a spot in this pre-conference institute. You must register to participate and be a current NASPA Undergraduate Fellow.
INSTITUTE CHAIRS:
Felipe Martinez — University of Washington, Seattle
Danielle Quinones-Ortega — UC Santa Barbara
Graduate Students Institute
Graduate student experiences offer invaluable lessons for navigating your Student Affairs journey; however, transforming those lessons into leadership foundations for higher education requires intentionality. From thinking about challenges facing Student Affairs leaders to planning your professional pathways, this pre-conference is designed to support your journey while addressing how to balance academics, career interests, and life beyond the profession
INSTITUTE CHAIRS:
Chris Hutchison - Chapman University
New Professionals Institute
The New Professionals Institute provides a forum for NASPA members with less than three years of experience to address the knowledge and skills they desire as they engage in the duties of student affairs administration. As a new professional, you are uniquely positioned to bridge the emerging needs of students and supporting the administrative evolution toward addressing these challenges. The Institute is offered in conjunction with the NASPA Western Regional Conference which allows you to build your professional network within regions V and VI. In addition, the Institute will feature the following topics:
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Finding your place within your organization
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Student affairs career planning and positioning for purposeful growth
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Strategies for effective networking
-
Pathways for professional development
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Trends in student affairs administration
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Understanding campus cultures — external and internal influences
INSTITUTE CHAIRS:
Leslie Opulauoho - University of Hawai'i, West O'ahu
Mid-Level Professionals Institute
Mid-level professionals are some of the most influential forces on campus. In pivotal positions, they serve students directly while promoting the learning, growth, and development of their staff. As managers, they provide critical insight and perspective to senior administrators and bridge the gap between Academic and Student Affairs. In appreciation of the varied roles mid-level professionals play, the MLI provides focused learning and a valuable networking opportunity. Developed for those in a managerial position with professional staff supervision and development responsibilities, the MLI curriculum offers a space to learn from senior student affairs officers and the opportunity to share cross-sector collaboration techniques and approaches. Join us for critical reflection as we consider best practices and emerging trends while discussing job satisfaction and professional development.
INSTITUTE CHAIR:
Marcus A. Rodriguez — Occidental College
Community College Professionals Institute
The Community College Institute provides a forum designed for and by NASPA community college members. The institute is designed to build networking opportunities, actively engage in understanding in the context and role of community college in America, and discuss the ways in which our work contributes to student success in higher education. The institute is offered in conjunction with the 2020 NASPA Western Regional Conference, which allows you to build your professional network with others at community colleges in regions V and VI.
Tentative Agenda*
November 10, 2020
10:00am-12:00pm: Institute Presentations
1:00pm-4:00 pm: Institute Presentations
Presenters
Candida Darling, Senior Director for Implementation and Planning, Salt Lake Community College
Dr. Cynthia Olivo, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Student Services, Pasadena City College
Dr. Joshua Moon, Dean of Student Services, Library, & Learning Resources, American River College.
November 11, 2020
No events scheduled
November 12, 2020
2:00pm-3:00pm Community College Institute Participant Check in
November 13, 2020
9:00am-10:00am Community College Institute Participant Check in & Debrief
*Agenda and presenters are subject to change.
INSTITUTE CHAIR:
Isaac A. Rodriguez Lupercio - Santa Monica College
Assistant/Associate Vice President and Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) Institute
The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) Institute guides individuals who currently serve in a supporting role, or “number two,” to the institution’s highest-ranking student affairs officer. The institute engages participants in career networking, discussions about current national topics and how it impacts our work, best practices in supporting a senior student affairs officer, and visioning and reflecting around excelling in this role.
| Date | Time | Topic | Presenter |
| November 10 | 10:00am - 12:00pm (PST) | Pivoting with Agility: Higher Education’s New Reality |
Teri Bump, Vice President – University Relations, American Campus Communities & 5 TedTalk speakers |
| November 10 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm (PST) |
Current Issues Focus: Leading, Supervising, and Budgeting in Contested Times |
Dr. Laura Bayless, Vice President of Student Affairs—Fitchburg State University Dr. Jerlena Griffin-Desta, President’s Chief of Staff & Chief Diversity Officer for Strategic Initiatives and Diversity—Sonoma State University Dr. Ryan-Jasen Henne, Dean of Students—Sonoma State University Dr. Gail Cole-Avent, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs—California State University, San Marcos |
| November 12 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm (PST) |
Supporting Mental Health Demands in Covid-19 |
Teri Bump, Vice President – University Relations, American Campus Communities Clint-Michael Reneau, Associate Vice President—California State University, Fullerton |
| November 13 | 9:00am - 10:30am (PST) |
Digital leadership as a SSAO |
Dr. Josie Ahlquist, Digital Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach and Author |
INSTITUTE CHAIR:
Clint-Michael Reneau - CSU Fullerton
Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Institute
Senior Student Affairs Officers Institute: Last Lectures From Our Best and Brightest
The 2020 Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Institute will feature Last Lectures delivered by some of the most respected colleagues in our regions. These well-regarded practitioners will share reflections for what would theoretically be the very last presentation in their illustrious careers. The Institute is structured to provide meaningful opportunities for dialog among the attendees about the issues raised by each of the lecturers. These discussions will provide an opportunity to further engage the presenters while also benefiting from the wisdom of fellow SSAO participants. We will have rich conversations about our shared challenges, unique perspectives, and possible responses relative to the topics and themes highlighted by our invited speakers.
Note: The Institute is designed for the most senior student affairs officer on campus.
Prominent Speakers include:
| Deneece Huftalin | President, Salt Lake Community College |
| Les Cook | Chancellor, Montana Tech |
| Larry Roper | Professor, Oregon State |
| Shannon Ellis | Vice President for Student Services, University of Nevada, Reno |
| Mike Munoz | Vice President for Student Services, Long Beach City College |
| Janet Smith Dickerson | Vice President for Student Affairs, The Claremont College Services |
Learn more about our speakers here!
INSTITUTE CHAIR:
Mike Segawa - Pitzer College
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction Committee invites you to participate in our conference by donating to the 2020 NASPA Western Regional Conference Silent Auction. All auction proceeds will go to the NASPA Foundation and will go towards scholarships and support for research and programs for members.
Donations
Donations can range from gift cards, trips/ getaways, experiences (e.g. a culinary tour of San Francisco), crafts, technology, art, school swag, wellness coaching, and academic support (e.g. dissertation coaching, editing services, etc.). Donating to the WRC Silent Auction is easy! Please contact one of the following regional/area committee volunteers below who will assist you with your donation. Donation deadline is October 31, 2020.
Your donation will contribute to enhancing the success of current and future student affairs leaders and practitioners and higher educational scholars in NASPA. Thank you for your consideration.
Committee Members - Contact
NASPA Region V
Stacy Montgomery, Pepperdine University - stacy.montgomery@pepperdine.edu
NASPA Region VI
Greg Toya, El Camino College (Hawai’i) – gtoya@elcamino.edu
Deborah Miller-Calvert, Long Beach City College (Arizona) - dmiller-calvert@lbcc.edu
Stacy Montgomery, Pepperdine University (California) - stacy.montgomery@pepperdine.edu
Derek Vergara, Orange Coast College (California) – dvergara2@occ.cccd.edu
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Natalie Schonfeld, Coastline College - nschonfeld@coastline.edu
Additional Silent Auction Committee Members Available
Naomi Abesamis, Fullerton College - nabesamis@fullcoll.edu
Shannon Quihuiz, Orange Coast College - squihuiz@occ.cccd.edu
Jamie Kammerman, Orange Coast College – jkammerman@occ.cccd.edu
Volunteers
Join a dynamic team of volunteers who are committed to helping with program review, facilitation and support of workshops, and with promoting and marketing our first ever online Western Regional Conference. This is an exciting time to get involved as we embrace a new way to host #NASPAWRC20. Volunteers should expect an innovative way of delivering the content combined with opportunities for professional development, social connections, and networking. We look forward to you being part of the team!
Please sign up through Volunteer Central or this contact form. For any questions, please contact Katya Armistead at katya@ucsb.edu
Exhibitors & Sponsors
As you are well aware, COVID19 has significantly transformed higher education and the business of delivering programs and services to our students. Most colleges and universities have recently moved to some form of a virtual or hybrid delivery model of curricular and co-curricular programs and services.
Recently the Governor of California provided COVID19 guidelines specifically outlining safe spatial distancing and facial covering protocols. Additionally, the BIG10 and PAC12 Conferences announced that their Fall 2020 Football seasons were canceled. With this being said, NASPA Regions 5 & 6, have collectively moved to offer the Western Regional Conference scheduled for November 10-13, 2020, in a completely virtual format.
In approximately three months thousands of Student Affairs professionals will log in to attend, from November 10-13, 2020, NASPA Western Regional first ever virtual Conference. It is the intention of the Western Regional Conference (WRC) Planning Committee to deliver a conference program that will enhance professional development opportunities while providing critical resources to campuses that will continue to operate during these unprecedented times. As a professional colleague and thought partner, NASPA WRC, is looking for event sponsors and virtual exhibitors.
By committing to be a sponsor at the Western Regional Conference, your company will benefit as follows:
- Virtual engagement opportunities with attendees
- The opportunity to sponsor a speaker or virtual event
- Receive special name recognition at the opening of “your” speaker or sponsored virtual event
- Have your company logo included on the Western Regional Conference website
- Access to the key decision-makers from multiple western region colleges and universities
- Increased visibility and exposure of your products and services
Sponsors may also choose to virtually exhibit. There are also options to solely exhibit, and have an opportunity to share information about your organization with attendees. We are currently exploring various virtual vendor engagement opportunities for our attendees.
Exhibitors and sponsors at specific levels receive conference registration(s). For more information regarding sponsorship and exhibiting please follow this link or click the button below: Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration Form
We are looking forward to our partnership! Should you have questions regarding sponsoring or exhibiting at WRC in November 2020, please do not hesitate to reach out to our conference committee members:
Conference Committee Members - Contact
Dr. Lea Jarnagin
Dr. Lea Jarnagin
Interim System-wide Director, Student Wellness & Basic Needs Initiatives, California State University Office of the Chancellor
NASPA WRC 2020 Sponsorships Co-Chair
Dr. Jen Miller
Dr. Jen Miller
AVP/Dean of Students, Cal State LA
jennifer.miller@calstatela.edu
NASPA WRC 2020 Exhibits Chair
Dr. Greg Sawyer
Dr. Greg Sawyer
Vice President for Student Affairs, Sonoma State University
NASPA WRC 2020 Sponsorships Co-Chair
Call for Programs
The NASPA Western Regional Conference Committee (November 10-13, 2020) is going virtual, so we are re-launching the call for program proposals. We invite and encourage you to submit a proposal for this new conference format, as our need for professional development and personal connection is as strong as ever.
Our conference theme, Together Towards Tomorrow, inspires us to interrogate the issues of our past and present as we imagine the possibilities of shaping a wonderful future. The conference committee understands the importance of moving forward collectively during this time defined by pandemic-related fears, continued racial and gender equity issues, environmental urgencies, and of course the national election scene, to name a few. Our work is more profound than ever, and as student affairs educators we must build on best practices to ensure inclusive, healthy campus and virtual spaces for all students to thrive.
Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to the conference theme; connection to Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators; content, e.g. sound program planning with clear expectations and outcomes, grounded in research and practice, and engaging format; and adherence to program submission guidelines.
Call for Programs and SA Speaks has ended as of October 8, 2020.
Types of Educational Sessions
General Interest Sessions
50-minute sessions should fall into ONE of the following categories: (1) Directly related to the conference theme and to the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners; (2) provide an opportunity to showcase programs, strategies, or interventions that have been successful on a particular campus; or (3) allow for discussion of current events, developing trends.
Note: If you are interested in being considered as a KC spotlighted General Interest Session, you will have the opportunity to indicate this on the application form.
Research Sessions
The format of the research sessions includes two research paper presentations, each to be read for not more than 15 minutes. A moderator/discussant will respond briefly followed by a Q&A from the audience. Accepted single research paper submissions will be placed together by co-chairs.
Poster Sessions
A poster session showcases research and/or institution programs and is held during a 50-minute concurrent session. Unlike a General Interest Session or Research Session, a poster session allows viewers to study and re-study your information and discuss it with you one-on-one. It combines text, images, and dialogue to create an interactive exchange of ideas between presenter and participant. As viewers walk by, your poster should quickly and efficiently communicate your topic.
SA Speaks Session
Student Affairs (SA) Speaks are 10-minute talks that offer Student Affairs professionals an opportunity to connect with one another through personal narratives and storytelling. This year, our hope is to have all members of our community (from NUFP fellows to SSAOs) invite us into their worlds by presenting on important topics and innovative ideas that will inspire us to move together towards tomorrow. The submission process for SA Speaks is a separate form from the general program proposals and requires both a written outline as well as "trailer" or snapshot of the full 10-minute talk. Click "Submit!" below to send in your proposal materials. For any specific questions, please contact SA Speaks Chair, Nancy Nguyen at nancy.t.nguyen01@sjsu.edu.
