Reclaiming ‘We the People’: Democracy and the Renewal of Higher Education
The work of diversity professionals in higher education has always been dynamic, yet ongoing shifts in societal and political landscapes, coupled with financial challenges, have amplified the unpredictability of this work. Leaders must adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities of our current climate without compromising the mission of cultivating welcoming campuses where all can thrive. Even as we contend with the erosion of civil rights, threats to academic freedom, and intensified attempts to discredit the work of inclusion, we must remain steady in our purpose to advance equity and belonging.
Rooted in the powerful experience of community and higher education’s role in promoting democracy, this year’s theme invites us to reimagine who today’s “We” comprises within the context of a social democracy and to reclaim “We the People.” In a time of division and doubt, higher education holds the potential to be a space of healing, connection, and democratic renewal. This theme challenges us to shift from critique to creation, owning our agency and leading efforts to cultivate campus communities where all people are seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education is dedicated to helping its members and conference participants explore how inclusive excellence, civic engagement, and shared governance are critical to renewing higher education as a space where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered. Our shared work is not only essential to our campuses but also to the broader fabric of society and democracy.
The 2026 NADOHE Annual Conference will inspire participants to lead with clarity, courage, and hope as we confront today’s threats to equity, access, and truth. Through dynamic keynotes, research-driven sessions, and rich dialogue, the conference will illuminate how diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not only moral imperatives but democratic necessities.
Key Concepts Include:
- Reclaiming “We the People”: Expanding our collective understanding of community, belonging, and citizenship.
- Belonging as a Practice of Hope: Making belonging real, rooted, and restorative in campus environments.
- Education for a Brighter Democracy: Positioning higher education as a catalyst for justice, joy, and liberation.
This conference offers a space for renewal; for reclaiming higher education as a beacon of hope in a complex world. Together, we will reimagine what is possible when we center humanity, dialogue, and shared purpose. We will challenge false binaries that limit growth and explore how higher education can cultivate a more inclusive, resilient, and joyful democracy. Through thoughtful reflection and bold action, we can build institutions that live up to the deepest ideals of “We the People.”
We encourage submissions from 4-year colleges and universities, community colleges, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and Minority-Serving Institutions.
Call for Proposals
Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following broad topics:
- Advancing Inclusive Democracy in Higher Education: Practices and strategies that uphold academic freedom, shared governance, and civic engagement as central to inclusive excellence.
- Innovative Research on Equity and Belonging: Scholarship that advances knowledge in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, social justice, and democratic participation.
- Creative and Courageous Leadership: Approaches for navigating resistance, political headwinds, and shifting narratives around DEI while maintaining institutional values.
- Intersectionality and Identity: Exploration of the ways race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, (dis)ability, socioeconomic status, and other dimensions of identity intersect to shape campus experiences and outcomes.
- Accountability and Impact: Case studies, frameworks, and methods for tracking and demonstrating measurable outcomes of equity and inclusion work on campuses.
- Faculty and Staff Equity: Recruitment, retention, mentorship, and advancement strategies that foster inclusive pathways for historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.
- Student Success and Belonging: Models for strengthening access, persistence, mental health, and holistic support for students across diverse institutional types, with attention to equity gaps.
- Curriculum and Pedagogy for a Renewed Democracy: Inclusive teaching practices, curricular innovations, and course design that prepare students to thrive in a pluralistic society.
- Professional and Leadership Development: Training and capacity-building in anti-bias, anti-racism, equity-minded leadership, and organizational change.
- Community and Cross-Sector Partnerships: Collaborations between higher education and local, regional, or national organizations that advance equity, workforce opportunity, and democratic participation.
- Health and Well-Being Equity: Approaches that address health disparities, mental health, and access to resources as foundational to equity in higher education.
- Global and Comparative Perspectives: Insights from international, transnational, or global contexts that inform equity and democracy in higher education.
NADOHE seeks proposals for concurrent sessions. Sessions can include theory and/or research, but presentations are strongly encouraged to have an applied and/or practitioner perspective. Proposals may be submitted for one of the following three tracks:
TRACKS (Pick One)
General:
This track welcomes proposals that address diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging broadly across higher education and related organizations. Sessions may focus on topics such as inclusive teaching, student success and belonging, staff and faculty equity, innovative DEI practices, research findings, case studies, leadership strategies, or institutional transformation. The General track provides a space for sharing evidence, insights, and approaches that are transferable across diverse institutional contexts and that contribute to advancing inclusive excellence.
Academic Diversity Officer (ADO):
Focuses on the ADO role, which prioritizes and executes DEI strategic plans in specific academic units (disciplines, schools, departments, or colleges). This track highlights the lived experience, challenges, and opportunities of ADOs, exploring how responsibilities are shaped by academic unit mission, leadership, and institutional CDO guidance. Sessions may address curriculum development, professional development, leadership strategies, navigating resistance, coalition-building, and defining success factors for advancing in the academic DEI landscape.
Health Equity:
Provides an opportunity for diversity officers and leaders advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice across health professions, educational institutions, and related organizations to engage in robust conversations and share best practices, strategies, and tools. Sessions may focus on workforce development, health disparities, policy, curriculum, or community partnerships that promote equitable access, outcomes, and inclusion in health-focused settings.
FORMATS (Pick One)
After you submit a track choose one of the following three FORMATS:
Pedagogical Praxis (75-minute presentation)
Pedagogical Praxis sessions can be presented by an individual or a panel of up to five content leaders, are designed to explore the intersection of theory, research, and practice in higher education. These sessions focus on critical issues such as anti-racism, equity and inclusion, intersectionality, or other conference-relevant topics, emphasizing how reflective practice informs teaching, learning, and institutional action. Presenters may engage participants through discussion, Q&A, or other interactive elements that encourage critical thinking and reflection. Participants leave with a deeper understanding of complex issues and insights into how theory and reflection can guide meaningful practice within their own contexts.
Research/Scholarship (75-minute presentation)
Research/Scholarship sessions can be presented individually or as a panel of up to five leaders, emphasize sharing evidence, research, or applied examples on a specific topic. These sessions highlight case studies, research findings, or data-driven practices related to anti-racism, equity and inclusion, intersectionality, or other conference topics. While primarily presentation-driven, sessions may include Q&A or discussion, providing participants with knowledge of research, methodologies, and illustrative examples that can inform their thinking or future practice.
Express Talk (35-minutes; 25-minute presentation; 10-minute Q&A)
An Express Talk is a dynamic, TED-style presentation that highlights a single powerful idea through compelling storytelling and practical insights. These sessions are designed to spark conversation, inspire new thinking, and provide participants with actionable takeaways in a short, impactful format. For this year’s conference, we invite proposals that address pressing issues, innovative practices, and bold visions that advance equity, inclusion, and the renewal of higher education.
AUDIENCE
After you select a format please choose the AUDIENCE(S):
- Seasoned Diversity Officer (i.e., 6 or more years of experience)
- New Diversity Officer (i.e., 1-5 years of experience)
- Other diversity, equity, and inclusion professional
- Other (please specify below)
Proposal Guidance and Review Process
All proposals will be reviewed using a standardized scoring rubric (1–5 scale). Reviewers will assess proposals in the categories below. To support fairness and transparency, all submissions should be structured according to this template.
General Session Criteria (required for all proposals)
1. Relevance to Conference Theme & Audience (150–200 words)
- How does your session align with the conference theme and key concepts?
- Why is this topic timely, significant, and relevant for our audience?
2. Clarity & Organization (100–150 words)
- List 2–3 specific, measurable learning objectives.
- Briefly describe the structure of your session (e.g., presentation, panel, workshop).
3. Evidence & Foundation (150–200 words)
- How is your session grounded in research, data, or demonstrated practice?
- What experience or qualifications do the presenters bring to this topic?
4. Engagement & Interaction (100–150 words)
- How will you engage participants actively (e.g., discussion, case study, polling, group activities)?
5. Application to Practice (150–200 words)
- What specific, actionable takeaways will participants leave with?
- How can they apply these strategies in their roles and own settings?
6. Innovation & Originality (100–150 words)
- How does your session bring fresh ideas, unique approaches, or new perspectives to the field?
Track-Specific Criteria (only complete if applicable)
Health Equity Sessions (answer each in 75–150 words)
- How does your session explicitly address health disparities and inequities?
- How are community voices or perspectives of impacted populations represented?
- How are your strategies informed by research/data and attentive to cultural and social determinants of health?
- What strategies can participants transfer to their roles and own settings?
Academic Diversity Officer Sessions (answer each in 75–150 words)
- How does your session address systemic inequities in higher education?
- What strategies will you share for DEI leaders to navigate resistance, build coalitions, and influence culture?
- What demonstrated or measurable impacts does your work have on student success, faculty development, or campus climate?
- How can these practices be adapted across institutions and sustained over time?
Additional Details
- Presenter Information: Names, titles, institutions, and short bios (100 words each).
- Session Type & Duration: Please indicate (e.g., concurrent session, workshop, panel) and length (75-minutes).
- Keywords/Tags: Up to 5 keywords for program placement.
Proposal Submissions will close Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59PM EDT.
By submitting a proposal, you agree to present in-person at the 2026 Annual Conference.
Thank you for your submissions.