NOVEMBER 7-10, 2026  |  VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Hosted by Region V & Region VI

The 2026 NASPA Western Regional Conference (WRC) provides an engaging environment to learn, connect, and recharge. Designed to foster both professional growth and personal renewal, the conference features thought-provoking educational sessions, innovative practices, and meaningful dialogue that extends well beyond the formal program. Attendees will have opportunities to exchange ideas, build lasting professional relationships, and explore emerging trends shaping higher education and student affairs.

Set against the inspiring backdrop of Vancouver, WRC 2026 is more than a conference, it is an immersive experience, one that energizes participants, broadens perspectives, and strengthens our collective commitment to supporting student success. Whether you are an emerging professional or a seasoned leader, WRC 2026 offers space for reflection, inspiration, and impactful collaboration.

Important Dates

Call for Programs

Closed

Call for Reviewers

Closed

Early Bird Registration

Closed

Regular Registration

August 23rd, 2026 - October 7th, 2026

Last Day to Book Hotel

October 7th, 2026

Late Registration

October 8th, 2026 - November 10th, 2026

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

The University of British Columbia acknowledges that UBC’s two main campuses are situated within the ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people, and in the ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples.

Featured Speakers Panel - Monday, November 9

Dr. Sterling Crowe

Associate Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing at Humber Polytechnic

President of the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS)

Dr. Sterling Crowe (he/they) is a transformational educator and advocate for justice-forward practices in higher education who currently serves as the Associate Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing at Humber Polytechnic and President of CACUSS. With over 15 years of experience in student affairs and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Sterling specialises in heart-centred, disruptive leadership that challenges the status quo while building strong, dynamic teams grounded in collaboration, resilience, and social justice.

Jennifer Hamilton

Executive Director

Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS)

Since 2011, Jennifer Hamilton has served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services. CACUSS is a non-profit professional association with over 2900 individual and 120 institutional members in Canada.

Jennifer has a BA in International Development/Agriculture from the University of Guelph. She has a MS from Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education.

Prior to joining CACUSS, she worked as a student affairs professional for 15 years in the areas of leadership development and student life, career services, academic advising, orientation programs and international student services. She worked at OCAD University, University of Toronto and Portland State University.

She lives in Toronto, Canada with her partner and has two young adult children, one in 3rd year at Dalhousie University and one who is a senior in high school.

Dr. Amelia Parnell 

President

NASPA

Dr. Amelia Parnell is an accomplished higher education executive and an internationally recognized thought leader regarding current issues and emerging trends in the field. She is a passionate advocate for higher education as a tool for personal advancement and impact, and she seeks opportunities to partner with organizations and individuals who share her sincere commitment to centering students' needs.

As a frequent keynote speaker at national and regional conferences, Amelia presents on topics related to higher education, student affairs, college affordability, student learning outcomes, and institutions' use of data and analytics. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and PBS NewsHour.

Amelia enjoys opportunities to teach, and she is energized by making complex concepts easy to understand. She has had enriching engagements with students and peers as an adjunct instructor and lecturer and she is the author of the book, You Are a Data Person, which she wrote to encourage all higher education professionals to discover and embrace their unique data identity.

Amelia holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University.

Featured Speaker - Tuesday, November 10

Dr. Amy Aldous Bergerson

Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education

University of California, Merced

Amy Aldous Bergerson, PhD (she/her) serves as the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education at the University of California, Merced. Amy’s nearly 40 years in higher education have focused on the success of undergraduate students. Her experience ranges from serving as a Residence Hall Director at Grinnell College, to an Academic Advisor and Assistant Director of Admissions at Salt Lake Community College, to a Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy and Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Utah. In each of these roles, Amy brought her passion for improving the experiences of college students to deeply collaborative and creative work involving innovative retention initiatives, interdisciplinary degree and certificate programs, policy reform, process improvement, and building relationships across institutional sectors.

Amy has taught courses in higher education leadership, college student retention theory, educational politics and policy, and qualitative research methods. Amy’s research has been published in higher education and qualitative research journals, and she has written two books related to college student success. Many of her publications are co-authored with doctoral, masters, and undergraduate students. Her passion for supporting students extends to working with doctoral students; she has mentored over 50 scholars through the doctoral degree process.

Amy earned her BA in Sociology from Amherst College, her MA in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University, and her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah.

In addition to her work life, Amy is an avid world traveler, home chef, and dabbler in the “granny arts” of quilting and needlepointing. She relishes spending down time with her adult son and her two cats, eating out, and sharing a glass of wine with friends.

WRC 2026 Planning Committee

Samantha Reid, Chair University of British Columbia

Rick Trevino, Co-Chair University of Southern California 

Karnell McConnell-Black, Region V Regional Director & Sponsorships Reed College

Derek Vergara, Region VI Regional Director Orange Coast College

Nikhila Prakash, Treasurer University of British Columbia

Wendy Norman, Registration University of British Columbia

Lucy Rinard, Registration University of Southern California

Joanna Royce-Davis, Programs Pacific Lutheran University

Julia Heck, Programs California State University Channel Islands

Romando Nash, Institutes & Pre-Cons Washington State University 

Mollie Rockafellow, Awards Eastern Oregon University

Christine Quemuel, Institutes & Pre-Cons University of Hawaii at Manoa

Jessika Chi, Hotel Liaison Reed College

Billy Caganap, Hotel Liaison UC Riverside

Amanda French, Marketing & Communications Reed College

Martha Enciso, Marketing & Communications University of Redlands

Doyin Luwaji, Local Arrangements University of British Columbia

Miguel Ángel Hernández, Sponsorships UC Irvine

Marcus Rodriguez, Awards Occidental College

Mara Schaffler, Volunteers & Engagement Simon Fraser University

Monica Schnapp, Volunteers & Engagement UC Irvine

Sydnney Hall, NASPA