Pacific 2026 Regional Conference

Convergence: Turning Challenges into Oases of Innovation

In an era of disruption, convergence is how institutions move from either/or to both/and. “Convergence” invites us to gather people, programs, partners, and places into intentionally aligned ecosystems—innovation districts that fuse academia and industry, blended academic structures that span disciplines, public–private partnerships that unlock delivery and financing, and campus–community networks that elevate student success and regional prosperity.

Inspired by Arizona State University’s approach to innovation, convergence is not a one-time project but a planning mindset: braiding missions, assets, and incentives to produce win–win–win outcomes—for students, faculty, and staff; for institutional sustainability; and for surrounding communities and economies. Like wayfinding through a desert, convergence provides direction when landmarks are sparse: pursuing shared north stars, navigating “mirages” like uncertain enrollment, and designing flexible pathways that deliver value under many futures.

As campuses face pressures—from enrollment concerns, aging infrastructure, financial pressures, climate risk to affordability, and AI’s rapid evolution—innovative integrated planning becomes a vehicle to converge strategy, space, finance, operations, and partnerships. The result: resilient, human-centered environments that catalyze learning, discovery, and belonging.

Now it’s your turn. Be part of the Pacific 2026 program by sharing your story, strategies, and lessons learned. Help our community see what convergence looks like on your campus—and inspire others to take action.

Call For Proposals closed on October 31.

Lindy Elkins-Tanton

Director of Space Sciences LaboratoryUniversity of California, Berkeley

Wellington “Duke” Reiter

Senior Advisor to the PresidentArizona State University

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gain visibility and be part of this event! Learn about event sponsorship.
Contact KenDra McIntosh for more information or complete the sponsorship order form.
kendra.mcintosh@scup.org | 734.669.3283

Pacific 2026 Regional Conference Event Sponsors

Pacific Regional Sponsors

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Program

Registration

If you need to make changes to your registration please contact registration@scup.org. Thank you!

Deadlines

**Cancellations must be made in writing and may be submitted by email to your registration team registration@scup.org by 4/27/2026. Refunds are subject to a processing fee – 10% of the total purchase. No-shows are not eligible for a refund, and funds committed by purchase order must be paid in full by the first day of the event. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of received written notification.

Badge sharing, splitting, and reprints are strictly prohibited.

SCUP Photo Policy

Attendance at, or participation in, any workshop or conference organized by the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) constitutes consent to the use and distribution by SCUP of the attendee’s image or voice for informational, publicity, promotional, and/or reporting purposes in print or electronic communications media. Video recording by participants and other attendees during any portion of the workshop or conference is not allowed without special prior written permission of SCUP. Photographs of copyrighted PowerPoint or other slides are for personal use only and are not to be reproduced or distributed. Photographs of any images that are labeled as confidential and/or proprietary is forbidden.

Scholarship

Student Scholarship:

In an effort to provide valuable educational and professional connections for college students as they explore a higher education profession, SCUP will be offering a limited number of student scholarships this year. We hope that by providing these scholarships, we can give students the opportunity to gain insight and knowledge to further assist with their career path in higher education.

Award
Complimentary Registration (up to 5 awarded)

Application Deadline
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Notification of Selection
Scholarship applicants will be notified of award status by Monday, March 30, 2026

Apply today

Institutional Leaders:

In this economic climate that is creating challenges for so many colleges and universities, SCUP recognizes that professional development and travel budgets are being reduced or cut at many institutions. We believe that during tough times it is more important than ever to invest in education and to reach out to colleagues to help find solutions. We offer a limited number of scholarships to help underwrite costs associated with participating in SCUP events.

Award
Complimentary Registration (up to 5 awarded)

Application Deadline
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Notification of Selection
Scholarship applicants will be notified of award status by Monday, March 30, 2026.

Apply today

Hotel Information

Omni Temple Hotel at ASU

7 E University Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281

Room Reservations

Booking information coming soon

Room Rate

$159.00 USD
Currently, all room rates are subject to a 14.07% occupancy tax (7.27% state/county tax and 6.8% city hotel tax)

Check In/Out

Check-in: 4:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am

Reservation Deadline

Information coming soon

Travel Information

Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Approximately 4.5 miles from the Omni Temple Hotel

Ground Transportation

Driving Directions

to Omni Temple Hotel at ASU

Parking

• Valet Parking Only – $39 Overnight per Vehicle
• 1-2 hours parking | $15 per vehicle
• Daytime parking | $25 per vehicle
• Self-Parking is Not Available. Guests seeking self-parking options should visit: downtowntempe.com/get-around/parking.

Call for Proposals

Call For Proposals closed on October 31.

Higher education institutions are at a pivotal moment, navigating an era of disruption marked by challenges like enrollment concerns, aging infrastructure, financial pressures, climate risk, affordability, and the rapid evolution of AI. This conference invites proposals that explore innovative approaches to these pressing issues through the lens of “Convergence”. Specifically, we seek submissions demonstrating how integrated planning can serve as the essential vehicle to align strategy, space, finance, operations, and partnerships, fostering resilience and transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation.

We seek submissions that address:

• From Silos to Systems: Show how your campus aligned academic programs, research, and industry to create shared value.
• Design for Convergence: Case studies of flexible, shared-use space enabling transdisciplinary learning/research.
• Alternative Financing Partnerships: Demonstrate how partnership (public, private, cross department) delivery advanced mission, equity, sustainability, or speed-to-impact.
• Community as Co‑Creator: Models where neighbors, civic leaders, and students shaped campus plans and benefits.
• Mirage to Milestone: Tools for navigating uncertain enrollment, shifting demand, or disruptive technology.
• Metrics that Matter: KPIs and dashboards that measure convergence (student outcomes, utilization, carbon, ROI, community impact).
• Belonging by Design: Strategies for integrating inclusivity principles to provide intentionally equitable student success systems to serve global, local, and diverse learners.

Call for Proposal Details

As you think about putting your proposal together, we would like you to consider some important points:

Does your proposal include integrated planning practices?

Integrated planning is a sustainable approach to planning that builds relationships, aligns the organization, and emphasizes preparedness for change.

Does your proposal bring together different perspectives and experiences?

By design, integrated planning is an inclusive practice that brings together perspectives and experiences from across an institution’s community to create solutions. This can only be accomplished when all voices are heard, recognized, and valued.

Consider these questions:

• Whose perspective is missing?
• Whose voice is not being heard?

We strongly encourage you to make sure your presentation team includes different voices, and that these voices are given meaningful time to share their perspectives.

Who should submit?

Integrated planning brings together voices from every corner of campus:

Stakeholders: students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, external partners
Areas of practice: academic and strategic planning, student affairs, finance, campus planning, IT, communications, development, institutional effectiveness

The secret to a great proposal.

Great proposals focus on one of two things: solutions or foresight.

Solutions: help attendees solve a pressing problem.
Foresight: explore innovative new ideas, analyze trends, and prepare attendees for the future.

Don’t forget to include:
Takeaways: give attendees next actions, tips, tools, processes, etc., that can be applied immediately
Engagement: engage attendees with your content and with each other in meaningful ways.

Concurrent Session Quick Facts

• Sessions are 60-minute.
• Submissions must be made using SCUP’s online submission tool.
• Read other frequently asked questions.

Download the Call for Proposals Outline

QUESTIONS? Email speaker.information@scup.org.

Call For Proposals closed on October 31.