Call for Proposals

The theme for this conference is Rooted In Our Purpose: Collective Action Towards Transforming Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership and is designed to foster local networking among HESA graduate students and professionals while advancing collaborative efforts to reshape leadership in higher education. Located in the heart of California, the Central Valley is a region where communities lay deep roots, and social justice-oriented leaders nurture knowledge that spans generations. This conference will serve as a platform for both emerging and experienced educational leaders to engage in shared learning, collaboration, and the pursuit of meaningful change. By connecting local networks and advancing collective action, the conference continues the HEAL program’s mission to develop scholar-practitioners and cultivate ethical, socially-conscious leaders committed to equity and progress in the diverse communities of the Central Valley.

 

This conference aims to engage and connect higher education and student affairs leaders across the Central Valley for professional development, community building, and advancing our commitments to social justice and equity across our campuses. HESA in the Central Valley provides higher education and student affairs practitioners and leaders the opportunity to present workshops, panels, and training sessions highlighting high-impact practices that support students' postsecondary success in the region.

 

We invite higher education and student affairs professionals and graduate students across all levels of experience to submit their work for our 2025 conference. The call for proposals seeks to include practitioner and research-informed presentations that offer solutions and effective practices for addressing critical issues to support the growth and development of higher education and student affairs leaders in the Central Valley. 

 

• Practitioner Presentations - These presentations highlight current high-impact practices being employed via a program or initiative focusing on its development and current success outcomes.

• Research-Informed presentations - These presentations showcase research findings leveraged to lead systemic change within their unit or broader campus community. 

 

We are accepting various standard or creative format types to support our goal of enhancing the professional development of our Valley leaders.

 

We welcome proposals that highlight the following:

• Successful programs and initiatives on your campus

• Collaborative efforts to transform college campuses

• Practices to advance social justice and equity across campus functional areas

• Leadership development for early or middle-career leaders

• Efforts advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Research findings relevant to higher education and/or student affairs leadership or research, including undergraduate and graduate student research projects

 

We invite submissions that work toward our mission and encourage collaboration within and outside your campus partnerships. Format types include practitioner or research-informed 50-minute presentations, 50-minute workshops, and symposia. 

 

Proposal Submission Guidelines

• Abstract (50-word synopsis of your presentation)

• 500-word description and purpose of the program and its alignment with the conference theme

• Target audience (e.g., new, mid-level, senior-level professionals, etc.)

• Program learning outcomes

• Outline of the program agenda

• Presenter information and a brief bio

• Technology needs

 

Proposals will be reviewed by the HESACV Proposal Review committee based on the following criteria: a) clarity of the proposal; b) quality and relevance to professional practice and/or research; c) alignment to the conference theme and the Central Valley. 

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Conference proposal submissions are now accepted until January 31, 2025.  Acceptances will be announced by February 7, 2025. 

 

Please contact Dr. Varaxy Yi (varaxy@csufresno.edu) with any questions.  ​

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