https://swchrs.ou.edu/Conferences-Events Parent Page: Conferences & Events id: 35437 Active Page: Pacific Northwest Summit id: 35935

Pacific Northwest Summit

In Partnership with Portland Community College | May 7-8, 2026

In Partnership with_SWCHRS_American University_Horizontal_ (1920 x 300 px) (1)

The Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS) at the University of Oklahoma, in partnership with Portland Community College, will host the inaugural Higher Ed Hive: Pacific Northwest Summit on May 7–8, 2026, in Portland, Oregon.

Day 1 will be held at the Sylvania Campus and Day 2 at the Southeast Campus.

Registration

Higher Ed Hive

Student: $200

Early Bird: $295 (ends April 10th)

Regular Registration: $325

Registration is limited. Once max capacity is reached, a waitlist will be created. 

Hotel / Lodging

Courtyard by Marriott Portland Tigar

15686 SW Sequoia Parkway Tigard, Oregon, USA, 97224

Book before: April 10, 2026

Higher Ed Hive rate: $149.00 per day 

About the Summit

Welcome to the proposal submission and review portal for the Higher Ed Hive Pacific Northwest Summit. The Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS) at the University of Oklahoma, in partnership with Portland Community College, is excited to announce the inaugural Higher Ed Hive: Pacific Northwest Summit, taking place May 7-8, 2026, at Portland Community College in Portland, OR. This exciting initiative is designed to bring together thought leaders, educators, and practitioners to critically engage with some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education today. The Higher Ed Hive is designed to foster regional collaboration, build new scholarly and practitioner networks, and catalyze innovative solutions across areas critical to the future of higher education.

Call for Proposals

We are pleased to invite proposals, submissions, and recommendations for the upcoming regional Summit. All Higher Ed Hive events are guided by eight thematic focus frames that address the most urgent and transformative areas in higher education. We welcome contributions that offer insight, strategy, and innovation across the following areas:

  • Civic Discourse and Engagement:  Methods for engaging across ideological and socioeconomic divides, campus-based or community-based dialogue programs, empathy-building and deliberative democracy practice, the role of algorithms in shaping political opinions and polarization, and misinformation and media literacy in civic digital spaces.
  • Financial Aid:  Exploring the complexities of financial aid systems, including the implications of rising costs, burgeoning student debt, and management of aid resources.
  • Student Access and Opportunity:  Strategizing how best to serve nontraditional college student populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals, those experiencing homelessness, parenting students, older adults, and military-affiliated learners.
  • The Transition from Learning to Work:  Preparing students to navigate an evolving labor market, addressing skills gaps, and promoting lifelong learning pathways.
  • Pedagogy:  Reimagining teaching and learning frameworks to meet the needs of students with a range of learning experiences.
  • Redefining and Reimagining the Academy:  Empowering institutions to (re)define their missions in teaching, research, community engagement, and innovation, while reinforcing their commitment to the public good.
  • Leadership Development, Policy, and Ethics:  Equipping leaders with the tools to drive ethical, policy-informed decision-making in an increasingly complex higher education landscape.
  • Student Leadership Development:  Examining models of civic engagement and student organizing, and exploring approaches to supporting protest, advocacy, and activism within higher education contexts.

Managing Your Submission

If you need to make changes to your submission, you can do so by making edits to your proposal in the “My Submissions” tab. Do NOT submit the same proposal again.

Important Dates

  • Proposal Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026 (previously Feb 13)
  • Decision Notification: March 18, 2026 (previously Feb 27)
  • Conference Dates: May 7-8, 2026

 

Program Schedule Overview

Day One: May 7th (Sylvania Campus)
(1:30pm - 2:45pm) Session Block #1
(3:15pm - 4:45pm) Opening Keynote
(5:00pm - 6:30pm) Informal Group Meetings (TBD Opening Reception)

 

Day Two: May 8th (Southeast Campus)
(8:45am - 10:00am) Session Block #2
(10:30am - 11:45am) Session Block #3
(12:00pm - 1:15pm) Lunch
(1:30pm - 2:45pm) Session Block #4
(3:00pm - 4:30pm) Session Block #5
(5:00pm - 6:30pm) Informal Group Meetings

Regional Institute Learning Objectives

Strengthen Civic Discourse and Digital Literacy

Strengthen Civic Discourse and Digital Literacy

(1)
Apply methods for fostering productive dialogue across ideological and socioeconomic divides.
(2)
Evaluate the influence of digital media, algorithms, and misinformation on civic engagement, and explore interventions that enhance media literacy and deliberative democracy on campus.
Apply Transformative Leadership Practices

Apply Transformative Leadership Practices Grounded in Ethics and Innovation

(1)
Demonstrate knowledge of inclusive and ethical leadership frameworks that respond to shifting demographics and complex institutional challenges.
(2)
Explore new language and policy approaches that sustain mission-driven change while navigating evolving political and cultural dynamics in higher education.
Expand Regional Strategies for Opportunity and Access

Expand Regional Strategies for Opportunity and Access

(1)
Identify institutional and community-based models that expand access and opportunity for non-traditional student populations (e.g., formerly incarcerated, parenting students, First Gen).
(2)
Analyze regional needs and develop context-specific solutions for equitable educational access across diverse learner populations.
Integrate Cross-Sector Collaboration

Integrate Cross-Sector Collaboration into Student Success and Career Readiness

(1)
Develop strategies for aligning academic programs with workforce demands by building partnerships between universities, public agencies, and industry.
(2)
Critically assess how AI and technological innovation are reshaping employability and the learning-to-work transition for graduates.

Why Attend?

  • Learn strategies for navigating federal and state-level policy changes.
  • Build leadership skills centered on opportunity and innovation.
  • Network with peers committed to strengthening higher education's role in a changing society.
  • Access practical tools to enhance workforce development pipelines and institutional resilience.

FAQs

What is the conference schedule?

Only registered attendees have access to the conference sessions. A schedule of the keynotes and session blocks are available in the Program Schedule Overview on the Hive webpage. 

Will any virtual sessions be offered at The Higher Ed Hive: Pacific Northwest in Portland, OR?

No. There will not be virtual or hybrid sessions offered during location-specific Hives.

Is a day rate available?

No. The only rates are for the full conference.

How can I convince my boss that I should attend The Higher Ed Hive?

Download a Justification Letter template.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Payment can be made online during registration by major credit card only (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

Full payment is required to attend the conference. 

What are your refund, cancellation, and substitution policies?

Policies are outlined on our Terms and Conditions document and appear during online registration. Please review carefully and ask questions before registering.

May I obtain a copy of your W-9?

Yes! Email SWCHRS for a current W-9.

How do I make changes to my registration?

Your confirmation email will contain a modification link and confirmation number. Click the link, enter your registration confirmation number, and you will be taken to a page to make changes, transfer your registration, or cancel. A refund will be made automatically and according to the refund policy.

What policies will be in place related to Covid-19, such as vaccination, testing, and / or masking?

SWCHRS will follow guidance and requirements set forth by local officials and the conference venue.
 

What food will be provided during the conference?

Thursday: evening welcome reception with pupus/hors d'oeuvres
Friday: morning/afternoon beverages

Do you have a group discount?

Yes. Groups of 10 or more registered within a single transaction will receive a 10% discount on eligible registrations. Additional participants cannot be added to a previously completed transaction to meet the 10-person minimum or receive the group discount.

Please note: Students may be included in a group registration; however, student registrations do not count toward the 10-person minimum and are not eligible for the 10% group discount.

How do I request accommodations for accessibility at the conference?

The registration form has a section dedicated to accessibility. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests. Four weeks notice is required to schedule services and/or service providers.   

What happens with feedback provided to the SWCHRS Team?

The SWCHRS team gratefully receives and processes conference evaluation data, comments, and other forms of feedback. In response, we make adjustments in an effort to improve attendee experience where we can. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media, subscribe to our SWCHRS mailing list to receive alerts, and join our learning community to stay updated on the latest webinars, events, and opportunities.

Contact Us

Have questions or need more information about the Hive? Reach out to us at swchrs@ou.edu.