Higher Stakes, Higher Purpose: Outreach Center Stage
Theme Description
This year, we’re bringing outreach professionals to a city that knows how to put on a show—Las Vegas! Known for its dazzling lights, world-class entertainment, and bold energy, Vegas is the perfect backdrop for a conference that’s all about the spotlight. Just like the city itself, this event will be vibrant, dynamic, and unforgettable. From inspiring keynotes to innovative sessions, you’ll leave not only with new strategies but with the excitement and confidence to take outreach center stage on your campus. Pack your curiosity and your passion—because in Las Vegas, we’re raising the curtain on the future of collegiate mental health outreach.
In today’s higher education landscape, counseling centers face escalating expectations—from addressing student crises to embedding mental health into the core campus mission. The role of outreach professionals has never been more critical. This conference explores how intentional, proactive engagement—rather than reactive service—positions outreach teams at the heart of campus transformation.
Higher Stakes = Higher Purpose: As the pressure builds—from enrollment demands and demographic shifts to crises and evolving mental health needs—this conference empowers outreach leaders to have bold, strategic roles. It's time for outreach to take center stage in defining the future of collegiate mental health support.
A vital aspect of this conference is the commitment to serving all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and historically marginalized communities. Outreach professionals are uniquely positioned to advance equity and inclusion, ensuring that mental health support is culturally responsive and accessible. Social justice is a foundational value that informs outreach strategies and strengthens the counseling center’s role as a trusted resource for every member of the campus community.
Get ready for a transformative experience that blends strategy, creativity, and connection—all in a city built for bold ideas. This is your moment to shine. Outreach is moving into the spotlight—are you ready?
Call for Proposals
We Invite Proposals That:
- Illuminate the transformational impact of outreach on campus mental health culture
- Showcase innovative strategies that integrate counseling outreach with academic support, student affairs, campus safety, residential life, and cultural centers
- Highlight methods to build trust and reduce stigma, thus increasing counseling center visibility and engagement among students, faculty, and staff
- Demonstrate data-driven approaches—using insights from outreach to inform policy, improve retention, and enhance academic outcomes
- Reflect on the evolution from crisis-oriented engagement to preventive, ecosystem-level strategies
- Explore the dual role of outreach professionals as promoters and strategic architects, shaping counseling center mission, governance, and cross-functional partnerships
Presentation Formats
- Workshops (60–90 min): Interactive sessions offering participants practical tools and collaborative problem-solving
- Poster Presenters will display their work on a poster board and engage in informal, one-on-one discussions with attendees during designated poster viewing times. We encourage creativity, please feel free to include interactive elements. For example, this could include an interactive tabling element.
- Pre-Conference (180 min): Extended and comprehensive session
Submission Guidelines
Title: Clear, compelling presentation title
Abstract (300 words): Summarize topic, impact, & audience takeaways
Learning Objectives: 3–4 goals describing skills or insights attendees will gain
Format: Workshop, poster, or preconference.
Why Submit?
- Amplify impact: Share how outreach initiatives contribute to mental health promotion, academic resilience, and institutional outcomes
- Build community: Connect with peers from across the country to exchange ideas, resources, and best practices
- Shape the field: Be part of a movement redefining the role of outreach in college counseling—moving from center-stage promotion to systems-level leadership
Please note: The deadline for proposals is Sunday, January 25, 2026. We have moved the submission date up so that presenters have enough time to make arrangements to attend the conference. You will be notified of the status of your proposal in early March.
Note: If your proposal is accepted, the presentation title, presenter information, and abstract you provide will be included in the conference program, so please be sure the information you submit is accurate. All accepted presenters are expected to pay full conference registration fees.
For questions about the presentations, please contact office@AUCCCO.comProposal Requirements:
To submit your conference proposal, you will need to provide the following information:
For each presenter (primary and co-presenters):
- Name
- Email
- CV/Vita (upload)
For each presentation the following information will be needed:
- Session Topic
- Instructional Level
- Abstract - 200 word maximum
- Learning Objectives (minimum of 2)
- Research Citations (minimum of 3)
- Primary Presenter credentials
We very much look forward to receiving your proposals and we thank you in advance for having the interest and taking the time to submit your program.
Sending you best wishes for the New Year. We look forward to seeing you in June!
If you have questions or any problems accessing the form, please be in touch with AUCCCO Office, office@auccco.com.