2026 NASPA Region IV-West Conference
October 25-28, 2026 • Boulder, Colorado
26
Days
19
Hours
37
Minutes
20
Seconds
Featured Speakers
This year's speakers include nationally recognized leaders, scholars, and innovators who bring fresh perspectives and practical strategies to our work. From policy to pedagogy, from grassroots to global, these voices will challenge, inspire, and energize the field. Their sessions will anchor the conference experience and provide vision for what’s next.
Featured Speakers
Crisosto Apache
Colorado Poet Laureate, Associate Professor, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
"Empowering youth and building students confidence (Poem)"
Crisosto Apache is the 11th Poet Laureate for Colorado (2026–2027), a recipient of the 2026 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, Montalvo Arts Center’s Lucas Artists Fellowship, a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and a board member for The Offing Magazine. Originally from Mescalero, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache reservation, Crisosto is Mescalero, Chiricahua (Chair-a-cow-ah), and Diné (De-neh), with maternal and paternal clanships in the Salt Clan and Towering House Clan.
Apache holds an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and serves as an Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.
Crisosto’s publications include the forthcoming 2nd edition of GENESIS (South Broadway Press), Ghostword—which won the Publishing Triangle’s 2023 Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award and was a finalist for the 2023 Colorado Authors League Award in poetry—and is(ness), a winner of the Colorado Authors League Award, both published by Gnashing Teeth Publishing. For the past twenty years, they have advocated for the Two-spirit and Indigiqueer communities through local and national grassroots non-profit organizations.
Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein
Chief Educational Impact Officer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education
"Policy Fireside Chat"
Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein or Dr. G, (as everyone refers to her) is the Chief Educational Impact Officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education. She is a champion for educational equity, workforce, social mobility and systemic change at Colorado’s colleges, universities and tech schools that result in better experiences and outcomes for all students.
Dr. G has served in higher ed for 20 years but started out in corporate America. She has worked in academic and student affairs at community college and university.
She is an immigrant from Trinidad and grew up in on the 82 square mile island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. A Caribbean immigrant and the first in her family to graduate from high school and college. Dr. G holds four degrees.
Dr. Patricia Trujillo
Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education at New Mexico Department of Higher Education
"Policy Fireside Chat"
Dr. Patricia Trujillo is a higher education leader, educator, and scholar who joined the New Mexico Higher Education Department in 2020. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, she previously served as the founding director of the Office of Equity and Diversity at Northern New Mexico College, where she led efforts to expand access, equity,
and inclusion for historically underrepresented populations. Born and raised in New Mexico’s Española Valley, Dr. Trujillo has dedicated her career to advancing social engagement through critical education, social justice, and community-building.
Dr. Trujillo is also a tenured professor at Northern New Mexico College, where she has taught Chicana/Chicano studies, Southwest literature, and New Mexico history. Her scholarship has been published in academic books and journals, reflecting her deep connection to the histories, cultures, and communities of the Southwest.
She holds a PhD in U.S. Latina/Latino Literature from the University of Texas at San Antonio, an MA in English from the University of Nebraska, and a BA in English with a supplemental major in Law and Society from New Mexico State University.
Jhenai Chandler, Ph.D.
VP of Research and Policy at NASPA
"Policy Fireside Chat"
Dr. Jhenai Chandler is the Vice President for Research and Policy at NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and a nationally recognized higher education leader, researcher, and advocate. With nearly two decades of experience, her work focuses on advancing student success, educational equity, and institutional transformation. Her leadership is deeply informed by her own experiences as a first-generation college graduate and former parenting student, allowing her to bridge research and policy with the realities students face while navigating higher education.
Through her work and storytelling, Dr. Chandler explores college access, student success, leadership, advocacy, and navigating life’s transitions with confidence and resilience. She is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive while opening pathways for others to succeed. Dr. Chandler holds a PhD in Higher Education Policy from Florida State University, along with degrees from Nova Southeastern University, Florida State University, and Florida A&M University.
Mia Sundstrom
CEO at the National Institute for Play and Founder of Mia Sundstrom Speaks, LLC
"The Science of Play: Unlocking Human Potential"
Mia Sundstrom is the CEO of the National Institute for Play and the granddaughter of NIFPlay founder and play expert, Dr. Stuart Brown. Mia also works as a consultant for the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Denver to infuse play and character development in the student experience.
Mia has reached global audiences through her speaking engagements, including recent presentations at Aspen Ideas and the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. She has appeared on podcasts, delivered keynotes, led workshops, and consulted with organizations and schools to leverage the power of play to build strengths of character, enhance learning, improve leadership, strengthen community, and unlock innovation.
Mia was previously an NCAA D1 assistant coach for the University of Denver's top 10 gymnastics team. Before coaching, she was a student-athlete and captain for Denver Gymnastics, helping lead the program to a historic final four appearance while earning two degrees: a master’s in public policy ('23) and a bachelor’s in business information and Analytics ('21). As Dr. Stuart Brown’s granddaughter, Mia has chosen a career trajectory to enliven his legacy and build upon the incredible work he’s contributed to the science and application of play.
Kausar Mohammed
Actress, Performer and Cultural Storyteller
"To Laugh or Cry: Comedy as a Tool for Change"
Kausar Mohammed is an actress, comedian, storyteller, and equity facilitator whose work brings together the performing arts and social impact. A co-founder of SHIFT, a women of color-led equity education and consulting collective, Kausar uses humor, storytelling, and her experiences in Hollywood to challenge norms and center historically marginalized voices. Her television and film credits include The Flash, Mo, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Monster High, and Appendage. Through her engaging and interactive approach, Kausar invites audiences to explore identity, belonging, representation, and the power of storytelling to create more inclusive communities.
Mich Strange
Founder, Affirming Energy, LLC
"Restorative Practices"
Michelle “Mich” Strange is the Founder and Facilitator of Affirming Energy, where they cultivate stronger communities through restorative dialogue, training, and coaching. With more than 15 years of experience supporting marginalized communities in higher education, Mich specializes in helping staff, faculty, and student leaders develop the skills to prevent and repair harm, navigate differences, and integrate restorative practices into their organizations and communities.
Through a holistic, trauma-informed, and embodied approach, Mich creates restorative spaces centered on healing, accountability, trust, and belonging. As an Intergroup Dialogue facilitator and trainer, they bring particular attention to power dynamics while helping individuals and teams engage authentically across differences. Mich holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and a master’s degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs and continues to advance restorative practices throughout higher education and beyond.
