Call for Poster Session Proposals: 2026 NWCCU Annual Conference
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is now requesting proposals for posters for our NEW poster session at our 2026 Annual Conference, taking place December 1–3, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Seattle, Washington.
In an era of rapid transformation, higher education thrives when we work together. This year’s theme, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact, celebrates the collaborative spirit required to drive meaningful change. We are looking for posters that showcase how Innovation pushes boundaries, how Integrity grounds institutions’ missions, and how measurable Impact defines success.
We invite poster proposals that reflect the 2026 Annual Conference theme, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact, from a diverse range of voices, including faculty, staff, administrators, student services, and researchers. Proposals should feature research, high impact practices, initiatives, and outcomes at institutions that have improved mission fulfillment, student success, and/or institutional effectiveness. Proposals that primarily promote a product or service available for purchase will be directed to the conference sponsorship opportunities.
Poster Session Format
The poster session will provide engaging conversation and networking opportunities during the Welcome Reception at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, immediately following our opening keynote, The Future Was Yesterday: Higher Education’s Great Upheaval & the Needs of the New Learner, with Scott Van Pelt, co-author of The Great Upheaval: Higher Education’s Past, Present, and Uncertain Future and its 2026 sequel, From Upheaval to Action: What Works in Changing Higher Education.
Each poster presentation participant will be provided an easel or hanging display structure and space to converse with conference attendees. Posters should adhere to standard academic poster size and presentation guidelines (48” wide x 36” tall).
Proposal Criteria
NWCCU seeks posters that:
- Speak to the conference theme, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact
- Offer new viewpoints, insights, and innovative practices
- Foster attendee engagement and participation during the Welcome Reception
- Provide tangible takeaways attendees can apply at their own institutions
NWCCU’s conference program committee will review all proposals and select the ones that best align with the conference theme and other important criteria such as the quality and clarity of the proposal, feasibility within the available space, and the value it offers attendees. To ensure your proposal meets all requirements, please submit your proposal through NWCCU’s online submission form by August 31, 2026. Accepted poster proposals will be notified in September, prior to the close of early bird registration.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should be submitted no later than August 31, 2026, via NWCCU’s online form. Presenters will be asked to include the following:
- Poster title
- Short poster description (100 words or less): to be published on the digital conference platform; should pique attendee interest
- Presentation overview (500 words or less): a detailed outline of the poster presentation’s goals and what will be addressed
Poster Session Participants’ Responsibilities
- Poster session presenters are responsible for registering in advance for the conference, paying the registration fee, and covering the cost of their own travel, lodging, and related expenses.
- Poster session presenters agree to be available to engage during the Welcome Reception on Tuesday evening. The poster session will take place in Columbia Ballroom A, with open setup periods scheduled throughout the day on Tuesday.
- If you would like to make electronic materials or links to information available on our digital conference platform, the deadline to submit that information is October 23, 2026. Please note that NWCCU cannot reimburse presenters for any materials they provide at the conference.
Questions
If you have any questions about the proposal submission process, please contact Annual Conference team at conference@nwccu.org.
Important Dates:
- Poster Proposal Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026
- Poster Acceptance Notification: September 21, 2026 (during the early bird registration period)
- Early Bird Registration Closes: October 2, 2026
- 2026 NWCCU Annual Conference: December 1-3, 2026