2026 Forum Annual Meeting
Facing Complexity, Finding Solutions

April 1-3, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM!

The Western Academic Leadership Forum is thrilled to invite you to join us at the University of New Mexico for the Forum’s 2026 Annual Meeting. As higher education continues to navigate evolving challenges — ranging from a shifting policy landscape and workforce demands to complex enrollment trends and technological disruption — this gathering will provide a space for thoughtful dialogue, strategic insight, and collaborative problem-solving. Together, we’ll explore bold ideas and practical solutions to address the dynamic situations we face as academic leaders and chart a path forward for our institutions and communities.

Call for Session Proposals

We invite academic leaders, researchers, and administrators to submit session proposals that align with the annual meeting’s theme with special emphasis on actionable takeaways for attendees. Session types include lightning sessions (15 minutes), presentations or workshops (50 minutes), panel discussions (50 minutes), and case study roundtables (50 minutes). Proposal submissions are not limited to members of the Forum nor members of the WICHE region.

For the full Call for Session Proposals, click here.

Important Dates

Session Proposals

• November 21, 2025: Deadline to submit session proposals
• December 15, 2025: Notification of submission decisions

Registration

• December 1, 2025: Early bird registration begins
• February 6, 2026: Early bird registration ends
• March 4, 2026: Regular registration ends

Contact Academic Partnerships Staff