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CCCSAA Professional Development Conference 2025

June 25 - June 27, 2025

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Hour
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Empowering Excellence:
Navigating the Waves of Student Success

Conference Registration Deadline and Fees

Regular Registration
Full payment must be received on or before Friday, May 2, 2025, to be eligible for membership discount​
- Members: $500
- Non-Members: $600

Late Registration after Friday, May 2, 2025
Payments received after Friday, May 2, 2025, may not be eligible for membership discount
- Members: $550

- Non-Members: $650

*While CCCSAA is committed to making every effort to accommodate your needs, please understand that we may not be able to fulfill all requests. However, your satisfaction is our priority. Kindly reach out to events@cccsaa.org with any accommodations required to enhance your experience, and we'll do our best to ensure it's excellent!

Opening Keynote: Continuing the Conversation on Inclusive Communities

Vernon A. Wall

With over 30 years of experience in Student Affairs, Vernon A. Wall has worked at Iowa State University, the University of Georgia, UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Chapel Hill, focusing on Greek life, student orientation, leadership development, and university housing. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for LeaderShape, Inc. and is the Founder and President of One Better World, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in courageous conversations around social justice and equity. As a past President of ACPA – College Student Educators International and a co-founder of the Social Justice Training Institute, Vernon has dedicated his career to fostering inclusive communities in higher education. His closing keynote, "Leading for Inclusion in a Changing World," will explore how we can continue meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations amid shifting political landscapes. He will share strategies LeaderShape has developed to help institutions audit leadership programs through an inclusion lens and create liberatory spaces for dialogue. Attendees will gain actionable insights on reframing conversations, engaging in productive discussions, and sustaining DEI efforts on campus. Vernon's award-winning programs have empowered thousands of students, faculty, and staff nationwide, and his insights will leave you inspired to champion inclusion in your own institutions.

Vernon A. Wall
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Dr. Julie Loppacher
USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity logo

Conference Opening Presentation

Dr. Julie Loppacher

With a wealth of experience in supporting student learning and innovation, Dr. Julie Loppacher, the esteemed Director of the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity at the University of Southern California, has been a pioneer in helping students unlock their full potential through creative strategies and personalized support. Her presentation, "Student Success: Together We've Got This," will set an inspiring tone for the conference, emphasizing the collective effort required to empower students.

Under Julie's leadership, the Kortschak Center has become a hub for fostering academic resilience and holistic development among students. She is known for her ability to blend evidence-based practices with innovative approaches to address diverse learning needs. Julie’s passion for collaboration and inclusive education will resonate deeply with our audience of community college professionals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most influential leaders in higher education. Join us as Julie Loppacher kicks off our conference with a powerful message of hope, collaboration, and innovation!

Closing Keynote: Living in Possibility

Abby Prince Atwood

Abby Prince Atwood, Director of Campus Growth at LeaderShape, works closely with campuses to implement transformative leadership programs, helping students develop skills in resilience, courageous dialogue, and possibility thinking. With a background in Rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, she is passionate about empowering individuals to embrace new possibilities. In her keynote, "Living in Possibility," Abby will challenge us to expand what can be, honor what’s real, and ground ourselves in what’s true. LeaderShape believes that possibility thinking is a skill—one that can be strengthened like a muscle through intentional practice. Abby’s engaging and insightful presentation will inspire us to break through limitations and create a more just, caring, and thriving world for our students and ourselves. Her journey from corporate life to LeaderShape was a leap of faith that transformed her perspective on leadership and growth.

Abby Prince Atwood proshot
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Professional Development and Training
Conference Schedule at a Glance

We are looking for Conference Sessions to Inspire, Motivate, and Share Knowledge with your Colleagues.
Email Events Chair for more information.

About the Conference

Program Description
This professional development conference is designed to enhance the competencies of individuals who are serving or aspire to serve as change agents, educators, and practitioners in the realm of social justice. Aligned with the theme of "Empowering Excellence: Navigating the Waves of Student Success," the program engages participants at all levels of social and cultural awareness, offering a dynamic blend of theoretical frameworks and interactive activities to foster deep learning.

Participants will dive into a development lab crafted to equip them with the tools to lead impactful dialogues and sessions within their organizations. The content is tailored to meet the specific needs of attendees at the California Community College Student Affairs Association Professional Development Conference, ensuring that everyone is empowered to ride the wave and shape the future of student success.

Conference Focus Topics

  1. Advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice within your role
  2. Conflict Resolution: Navigating institutional culture and politics
  3. Enhancing health, well-being, and the quality of life for you and others
  4. Meeting the needs and supporting the work you do
  5. Professional development and growth for me
  6. Thriving in your role: Strategies for addressing the challenges of your position

Conference Details
This three-day conference focuses on building individual member leadership and technical skills and professional collaborative connections. Participants are required to attend the entire training program if they wish to in order to receive the certificate of completion from CCCSAA. Lunch on Thursday is included in the conference registration. In-room and lobby WiFi is complimentary and may not be available in meeting spaces.

611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Front Desk: (831) 425-7100

Reservation Information
Book your hotel room at the Host Conference Hotel website. The last day to make reservations at the special rate is by Friday, May 30, 2025. Due to limited hotel rooms and low costs, the Hotel reservation link will be emailed once registration has been confirmed.
Check-in: Wednesday, June 24, 2025
Check-out: Friday, June 26, 2025
Room Rates: $195 standard, $259 suite
*If you are wanting to come up to three days earlier or stay three days later, discount price may still be eligible via contacting the Hotel directly or emailing the Events Chair.

Resort Fee 
There will be NO destination or resort fee. The Resort Fee includes: high speed Wi-Fi, in room coffee, local phone calls, use of the business center, and access to the pool, hot tub and fitness center. Visit the hotel website for additional amenities.

Complimentary self-parking for overnight guests.
$10 parking for day commuters or $28 for valet parking services.

If you need any further information, please email CCCSAA Events Chair, Dr. Nicky Damania at events@cccsaa.org

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