NASPA Western Regional Conference

In November of 2021, We will be exploring the theme “Courageous and Resilient Leadership: Together We Rise”. We are experiencing a time like no other in our communities and on our campuses - where student affairs professionals at every level have been confronted with enormous challenges never imagined before, and we have responded with courage and resilience, oftentimes abruptly and with urgency. Our professional, social, political and personal worlds have collided and Higher Education as we know it has been changed forever. We have so many critical conversations to share.

My hope is that we are re-inspired and hopeful for a better future again in our space together in San Francisco. And finally after a year of countless event cancellations, we are optimistic that we will have the opportunity to gather together in person, to learn from each other, to celebrate the work we have done, and to be in community again. We will need to heal and reaffirm one  another. Right now our work is greater and even more important! Let us come together to forge a better future for our profession, our students, and our campuses. WRC 2021 will provide us opportunities to reflect, recenter, and rediscover our purpose - Together We Rise. 

NASPA family, Iʻll see you in San Francisco in 2021!

The NASPA Western Regional Conference Committee invites you to submit a proposal and join us in San Francisco, California from November 10-13, 2021. 

Courageous. Resilient. Leadership. Together. Rise.  These are the words that as student affairs professionals we have had to embody this past year and are the theme to this year’s conference.  As we reflect back on the year of unprecedented times, there is no denying that our experiences have radically changed us and the students we serve. In San Francisco, we will be called to connect these words with the difficult work we have done, in the ways our practice has evolved, and in the stories that have inspired us to center our purpose. Collectively, we share our gained knowledge and together we rise.

This year, we are especially interested in program submissions that provide opportunities for professionals to connect, converse, dismantle barriers, develop new skills, honor our authentic selves, and be invigorated by our work. Proposals will be evaluated based on content; relevance to the conference theme and the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners; evidence of clearly stated goals and outcomes; contribution to the knowledge and practice of student affairs; and adherence to program submission guidelines.

We want to acknowledge that we are living in a global pandemic. Systemic racism, especially anti-Black anti-Asian racism, economic disparities, and a divisive political landscape are additional challenges in our current community. Like many of our institutions, the committee has been looking for creative solutions to prioritize members' health and safety. One exploration is the ability to provide a virtual experience for both members and presenters. The submission form will include information regarding these options if you choose to participate. 

The deadline for program submission is May 17, 2021. Submit a program today!

We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Registration as a member is based on individual membership status. If you are employed by a college or university that is an institutional member, you can join as an individual member at the $75 rate. This gives you the conference registration and a year of membership for less than the non-member registration fee. If your institution is NOT a member, then you will need to join at the associate affiliate rate of $242 and then you can pay the individual member rate for conference registration. Visit the membership section of the NASPA website to learn about membership types.