BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ddaysoftware.com//NONSGML DDay.iCal 1.0//EN BEGIN:VEVENT DTEND:20261105T220000Z DTSTAMP:20260825T033535Z DTSTART:20261105T190000Z SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:2026 UPCEA West Region Salon UID:c1035541-48db-4778-98f0-748a61618792 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:UPCEA&rsquo\;s 2026 West Reg ion Salon is being held virtually November 5\, 2026.
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\nRegistration &\ ; Fees
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Click here to jump to registration links below.

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Registration
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Member

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Free for UPCEA members

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Non-Member
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$50

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To register other people from the same institution\, log in and click on "Manage Group Regi stration" below. (Members Only)
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Registration closes on November 4\, 2026. \; No registrations will be acc epted after November 4\, 2026.

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Refunds

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Please submit a ll requests to \;info@upcea.edu. A nyone who is registered but cannot attend may transfer their registration to someone from the same organization. Refunds will not be given for no-sh ows.\n

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Event Description
\nRegional Salons are half-day\, virtual\, curated opportun ities for UPCEA members to engage in accessible\, no-cost professional dev elopment and networking\, offering a balance of formal presentations and f acilitated\, two-way\, informal conversation. These lively gatherings are designed \;for members by members\, around a theme or topic of critica l importance\, and tap subject matter experts in and outside of UPCEA\,&nb sp\;as well as spotlight the important work of our members. Regio nal Salons provide members a chance to grow their professional networks\, to showcase their accomplishments\, and to solve unique and shared challen ges with peers.
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\nThe Human Connection in Higher Education
\nAs higher education confronts demographic shi fts\, changing learner expectations\, and intensifying competition\, our g reatest advantage may be our most human one: connection.
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\nFo r adult\, returning\, and online learners\, meaningful connection can be t he difference between enrolling and opting out\, persisting and stopping o ut\, or simply completing a credential and developing a lasting relationsh ip with an institution. As the enrollment cliff places new pressure on col leges and universities\, human connection is not a &ldquo\;soft&rdquo\; ad dition to enrollment and student success strategies. It is a critical part of how institutions create value\, foster belonging\, and help learners n avigate an increasingly complex educational and professional landscape.
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\nJoin the UPCEA West Region for The Human Connection i n Higher Education\, a virtual Salon exploring how institutions c an intentionally design connection across the learner journey.
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\nWe&rsquo\;ll open with a keynote focused on one of higher education&rs quo\;s most pressing challenges: the institutional pressure of the enrollment cliff and the opportunity it presents for adult\, returning\, and online learners. Together\, we&rsquo\;ll consider why the eff ects of enrollment pressures may be felt most acutely where connection is weakest\, and how institutions can make meaningful human engagement a cent ral part of attracting\, supporting\, and retaining a broader base of lear ners.\nFrom there\, participants will choose from interactive breakout conversations exploring different dimensions of huma n connection. Discussions will examine how AI can buy back time fo r connection rather than replace it\, freeing faculty and staff t o focus on advising\, feedback\, and relationship-building\; how c onnection can run in both directions\, creating more reciprocal r elationships among institutions\, learners\, employers\, and communities\; and why visible\, consistent human support matters during periods of disruption and uncertainty\, both for our learners and for th e people who serve them.
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\nWe&rsquo\;ll come back together to consider how human connection makes the value of higher education tangible. Rather than simply telling learners what an institutio n or credential can offer\, how can relationships with faculty\, advisors\ , peers\, and others help learners see a path forward\, recognize opportun ity\, and experience that value for themselves?
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\nThroughout the Salon\, participants will have opportunities to connect with colleague s\, exchange ideas\, and reflect on how these conversations can translate into action at their own institutions. We&rsquo\;ll close by inviting each participant to identify something they learned and one way they plan to s trengthen connection in their work.
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\nBecause in a time of pr ofound change for higher education\, human connection is not separate from the strategy. It may be the mechanism that makes the strategy wor k.
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\nSalons are intentionally live and not r ecorded to create a welcoming\, candid space where participants f eel comfortable asking questions\, sharing experiences\, and building mean ingful connections with regional peers.
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Whether you are looking to expand your network\, gain fresh perspectives\, or contribute y our own insights\, the UPCEA Regional Salon offers an approachable and val uable way to stay connected to your community.\n

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Conference Priv acy Policy\nAttendees of the UPCEA West Region Salon grant UPCEA a non-exclusiv e worldwide right to reproduce\, distribute\, any part or all of the webin ar presentation\, including any written or audio/visual material submitted in connection with the presentation\, in whole or in part\, in any media\ , including any audio or video recording of the presentation. You hereby c onsent to UPCEA&rsquo\;s use of any name\, photograph\, image\, presentati on\, or portions quoted or derived from the presentations. You also unders tand that the event in its entirety and/or portions thereof may be publish ed via podcasts\, webinars\, and other printed or electronic media and by registering and agreeing to terms and conditions\, you are consenting to a ll such derivative uses. If you have any questions about this use\, please email info@upcea.edu.
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Affiliated Events Policy\nCorporate member and nonmemb er attendees are prohibited from holding any meetings (briefings\, seminar s\, etc.) targeting professional\, continuing\, and online leaders in high er education who they know will be attending the UPCEA event\, and utilizi ng our name and likeness to do so\, unless otherwise negotiated and schedu led with and by UPCEA.

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UPCEA reserves the right to prohibit corporate member and nonmember attendees \;who violate this policy from exhibiting or part icipating at UPCEA events.

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If you encounter any errors or \ ;need assistance with your registration\, please contact us at 202-659-313 0 or \;info@upcea.edu.

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