Conference Details
Beyond the Breaking Point: Searching for Buoyancy
Undoubtedly most of us came out of the COVID pandemic feeling a bit off balance and wanting to steady our upside-down lives. Despite the return to more normal daily activities and routines, we live differently today as survivors of the pandemic. We look around and know that there are pressing human, environmental, social, and cultural elements that need our attention. While you come explore the city of Long Beach, discover through a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific, contemplate our Hispanic-Serving (HSI) and Asian-American, Native American, Pacific-Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Ӱ, enjoy our keynote conversation with filmmaker Dr. Jennifer Abod, may you gain new insights into our human experience and the tools at our disposal for collective and continued survival and well-being. Enjoy!
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Dr. Jennifer Abod
As a Jewish Lesbian Feminist, Dr. Jennifer Abod has spent over five decades passionately addressing inequality across age, race, class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.
Dr. Abod is an award-winning director of four documentary films, a former assistant professor of Communications and Women’s Studies. For many years, she was a radio broadcaster on Public Radio and a commercial radio talk-host on the east coast.
Her film The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen, which will be screening at the conference, has won national and international awards, and aired on the PBS program, To the Contrary. Her other films include: The Edge of Each Other’s Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde. Nice Chinese Girls Don’t: A poetry memoir with Kitty Tsui and Look Us in the Eye: The Old Women’s Project.
At the height of second wave feminism, Dr. Abod was cultural and community activist. She was the singer in the New Haven Women’s Liberation Rock Band and was co-founder of Women’s Health Advocates.
Her current passions include being a jazz singer and writing poetry. Her poems have been published in: One Art Journal, The Metro Washington Weekly, Silver Birch Press, Wild Crone Wisdom, Artemis Journal, Sinister Wisdom and are forthcoming in Spillway Magazine.
It is an honor for the Ӱ University Honors Program, as host of the 2024 WRHC Conference, to welcome Dr. Abod and celebrate her life’s accomplishments.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
12:30-4:30 PM Optional Exploration of the Long Beach, Aquarium of the Pacific
(Optional time to explore the Pike, Pine Street, Queen Mary, and more)
1:00-4:00 PM Conference Registration- Hilton lobby
6:00-8:00 PM Welcome Reception & Scribendi Launch, LB Hilton
Friday, March 29, 2024
7:30-9:00 AM- Shuttle from LB Hilton to Ӱ- Departs: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00
7:30-9:00 AM- Registration
8:45 AM- Welcome, Ӱ USU Ballrooms
9:00-12:00 PM- Morning Sessions, Ӱ USU
12:00-1:15 PM- Lunch & Entertainment, Ӱ USU
12:30-1:30 PM- WRHC Business Meeting, Ӱ USU
1:15-5:15 PM- Afternoon Sessions, Ӱ USU
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner & Entertainment, USU Southwest Terrace
7:00-8:00 PM- Keynote Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Abod, USU Ballrooms
8:00-10:00 PM- After Party!, USU Bowling & Billiards
8:15-10:15 PM- Shuttle from Ӱ "Go Beach" sign to LB Hilton- Departs: 8:15pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, and 10:15pm
| TIME | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30PM-4:30PM |
Optional Exploration of the Long Beach, Aquarium of the Pacific (Optional time to explore the Pike, Pine Street, Queen Mary, and more) |
Long Beach Pike |
| 12:00PM-4:00PM | Conference Registration | LB Hilton Lobby |
| 3:00PM-5:00PM | CSU Directors Meeting | LB Hilton, Enclave (1st Floor) |
| 6:00PM-8:00PM | Welcome Reception, Scribendi Launch | LB Hilton, Catalina Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
| 6:00PM | Vietnamese Student Association Performance | LB Hilton, Catalina Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
| 6:25PM-7:15PM | Conference Welcome, and Greeting from WRHC, Pasta Bar | LB Hilton, Catalina Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
| 7:15PM |
Scribendi Launch Scribendi is a nonprofit annual print publication that publishes creative work from undergraduate Honors students from more than 200 institutions in the Western Regional Honors Council. Published primarily by students at the University of New Mexico Honors College, Scribendi solicits work in categories including poetry, creative nonfiction, short fiction, foreign language, visual art, photography, and open media. The 2022 edition of Scribendi was a finalist for the Pacemaker Award from the Associated College Press, scholastic journalism’s highest prize. |
LB Hilton, Catalina Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
| TIME | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM-9:00AM | Shuttle from LB Hilton to Ӱ- Departs: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00 | LB Hilton Entrance |
| 7:30AM-9:00AM | Continental Breakfast | |
| 7:30AM-9:00AM | Registration | |
| 8:35AM-8:45AM | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement | |
| 9:00AM-9:45AM | Session I Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 10:00AM-10:45AM | Session II Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 11:00AM-11:45AM | Session III Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 11:00AM-12:00PM | Poster Session I | |
| 11:45AM-1:15PM | Lunch (LB City BBQ & Deli Sandwiches) | |
| 12:00PM-1:00PM | Ӱ Exploration (Puvungna visit, Yoga in the Japanese Garden, & Museum visit) | |
| 12:15PM-12:35PM | Ӱ Zindagi Performance | |
| 12:30PM-1:30PM | WRHC Business Meeting | |
| 1:15PM-2:15PM | Poster Session II | |
| 2:30PM-3:15PM | Session IV Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 3:30PM-4:15PM | Session V Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 4:30PM-5:15PM | Session VI Panel Presentations & Workshops | |
| 5:30PM-6:30PM | Hawaiian Luau Dinner (Naples Rib Co.) | |
| 5:40PM-6:00PM | Grupo Folklórico Mexica de Ӱ | |
| 7:00PM-8:00PM | Keynote Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Abod | |
| 8:00PM-10:00PM | After Party! | |
| 8:15PM-10:15PM | Shuttle from Ӱ to LB Hilton Departs: 8:15PM, 8:30PM, 9:30PM, and 10:15PM |
Poster Presentations (45 minutes)
- The poster presentation session will be an interactive event in which individuals or groups of two present their research on posters. The recommended poster size is 24” x 36” and shall be of professional conference quality. Presenters should be prepared to answer any challenging questions regarding their research.
Oral Presentations (10 minutes per presenter with 5 minutes Q&A)
- The oral presentation sessions will allow presenters to discuss and show their research. The presentation may include audio or visual aids. Presentations will be organized into panels of 3 participants based on research similarities. If you have a predetermined panel, please note that in your form.
Workshops (45 minutes)
- The workshop sessions will consist of presenter/s teaching various skills to attendees through hands-on training, spirited discussion, and active learning. Each workshop can be as formal or informal as the speaker desires. Interactive materials are welcome but will not be provided.
Explore Ӱ & Long Beach
Here you will find resources and exploration ideas for pre and post conference:
Aquarium of the Pacific:
On-Site Learning Experience
How the Aquarium Speaks to our Conference Theme:
Beyond the 100 exhibits, the aquarium is a hub to explore climate resilience, support endangered species, and rescue programs in the City of Long Beach. Like our post-pandemic lives, the aquarium offers opportunities to experience how nature and ecosystems have hit breaking points and must adjust for survival and well-being.
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific (Optional Educational Experience)
- 2024 WRHC Conference attendees can choose to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific at a discounted price of $29 (only available after 12, noon)
- Optimal times to visit that do not conflict with conference events:
- Thursday, March 28th after 12, noon (end visit by 5pm)
- Saturday, March 30th after 12, noon
- RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to guarantee your visit
Make your reservation here: (Note: Select option 2 for a free reservation in order to apply discount upon arrival) - Discounted Cost with flyer is $29 and you pay when you arrive at the Aquarium ticket office
Shoreline Park:
For those who prefer a free option, you can walk to Shoreline Park with Ӱ student volunteers, Daisie Poveda and Jamella Camandang to explore the restaurants and shops in that area. The group will meet on Thursday, March 28th in the LB Hilton Lobby at 12:30 and leave by 1:00pm.
Additional Exploration Options at Ӱ on Friday, March 29th (requires a ):
- Visit Puvungna. (Native American Sacred Land) & share a discussion with American Studies Professors, Brett Mizelle & Angela Martinez: /puvungna/overview The group will meet at 12 noon in front of the giant "Go Beach" sign in front of the USU & walk 15 minutes to the site. (30 spots available)
- Zen Yoga in the Japanese Garden. Meet at 11:45am in front of the entrance to the USU Ballrooms on the 2nd floor & walk 15 minutes to the gardens. Alana, who is certified in Hatha and Kundalini Yoga as well as a Reiki Master Teacher, will lead the class starting at 12 noon (30 spots available): /earl-burns-miller-japanese-garden
- Contemporary Art Museum. (Free & Open to visitors at any time during the lunch hour) It is a 5 minute walk from the USU, just on the other side of the E2 parking lot: /carolyn-campagna-kleefeld-contemporary-art-museum
RSVP for the Ӱ Exploration Options on March 29th, please fill out the following:
Keep in Mind:
- Travel time from your arrival airport to the Long Beach Hilton
- Lunch needs (30-45 minutes if you need to walk and order your food)
- Getting to the Aquarium of the Pacific (20 minute, 0.7 mile walk from LB Hilton)
- Our Welcome Reception is on Thursday at the Long Beach Hilton beginning at 6:00pm.
- Remember to take the discount flyer with you when you go purchase your ticket on the day and time of your reservation.
