Student Equity and Achievement funds (SEA) may support professional learning aligned with your campus Student Equity Plan. Connect with the SEA lead and show how conference sessions support identified equity goals.

Justification: “I am requesting SEA funding to attend RP Conference 2026. The conference centers on advancing equitable change in California community colleges and provides IRPE professionals with a dedicated space to strategize and share how they are informing and supporting change focused on identified student needs and priorities at their institutions. I plan to attend the following sessions aligned with our priorities: [list sessions].”

Sessions to highlight:

• Equity Data – Now in 2D! Framework Unlocks Shared Vocabulary to Improve Equity Analysis & Comprehension

• Diet Equity: The Great Taste of Equity, Without Systemic Change

• The Work of Implementing an Equity Plan at Scale

• Reimagining Outreach Through Race-Conscious Inquiry: How SMC Used Data Coaching to Understand and Address Equity Gaps in Successful Enrollment for Black/African American Students

• You Can't Count If You're Not Counted: Inclusive Data to Drive Black Student Success

• Changing Composition Together: Addressing Equity Gaps Through Student Data and Faculty-Driven Vulnerability

• Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: Centering Black People and Outcomes

• Aligning SWP Projects to Vision-Aligned Reporting: A Framework for Equity-Driven Decision Intelligence

CA Adult Education Program (CAEP) funds may support attendance, particularly for work related to noncredit, adult learners, and transfer.

Justification: “I am requesting CAEP funding to attend RP Conference 2026. Several sessions focus on noncredit students, completion, and transfer—aligning with CAEP goals. I plan to attend: [list sessions].”

Sessions to Highlight

• OC-Works in Action: Turning Messy Regional Data Into Equitable Student-Centered Insights

• Redefining Progress: Estimating and Evaluating Time-to-Completion in Non-Traditional Educational Models

• It Takes a Village to Earn CPL by Our Noncredit Credit by Exam Mechanism

If your college has a Title V grant, professional development may be allowable. Tie conference sessions directly to your grant objectives.

Justification: “I am requesting Title V funding to attend RP Conference 2026. The conference offers sessions aligned with our grant objectives. Here are some of the sessions I would like to attend: [list them here].”

Note: Sessions may not explicitly reference “Title V.” Select those that are related to your grant’s objectives.

Sessions to Highlight:

• You Can't Count If You're Not Counted: Inclusive Data to Drive Black Student Success

• Aligning SWP Projects to Vision-Aligned Reporting: A Framework for Equity-Driven Decision Intelligence

• Transforming Mindsets: Using Adult Learner Research to Drive Belonging and Retention

• Redefining Progress: Estimating and Evaluating Time-to-Completion in Non-Traditional Educational Models

• College Enrollment Decisions and Trajectories Among Community College Applicants

• The Work of Implementing an Equity Plan at Scale

• OC-Works in Action: Turning Messy Regional Data Into Equitable Student-Centered Insights

• From Imperfect Data to Equitable Insights: Using Propensity Score Matching to Understand Corequisite Impact

• Unlocking Opportunity: Rethinking Workforce Equity in Childhood Education

• Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: Centering Black People and Outcome

If your college has received funding to address basic needs on your campus, you may be able to request funding to attend the conference. You can talk with your college’s Dean of Counseling or your Student Equity Coordinator/Director to see if there is funding to support professional development opportunities.

Justification:  “I am requesting Basic Needs funding to attend RP Conference 2026. The conference includes sessions focused on equitable student outcomes. I plan to attend: [list sessions].”

Session to Highlight

• Miles to Go: Addressing the Unique Challenges of Rural Transfer Students

AB 1705 Funds may be able to support your conference attendance. RP Conference is a great place to get ideas from practitioners in the field on how AB 1705 implementation efforts are going on other campuses.

Justification: “I would like to attend RP Conference 2026 and am asking for AB 1705 funding. The RP Conference is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. It provides IRPE professionals with a dedicated space to strategize and share how they are informing and supporting equitable change focused on identified student needs and priorities at their institutions. I plan to attend: [list them here].”

Sessions to Highlight:

• From Imperfect Data to Equitable Insights: Using Propensity Score Matching to Understand Corequisite Impact

• College Enrollment Decisions and Trajectories Among Community College Applicants

• You Can’t Count If You’re Not Counted: Inclusive Data to Drive Black Student Success

• Aligning SWP Projects to Vision-Aligned Reporting: A Framework for Equity-Driven Decision Intelligence

If your college has OER/ZTC funding, the grant may include funds for professional development. Make sure you understand your OER/ZTC project's objectives so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the funding’s purpose.

Justification: “I would like to attend the RP Conference 2026, and I am asking for funding from OER/ZTC. The RP Conference is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. It provides IRPE professionals with a dedicated space to strategize and share how they are informing and supporting equitable change focused on identified student needs and priorities at their institutions, such as Zero Textbook Cost degrees, that can help us realize the objectives of our grant.

Session to Highlight:

• Tracking Change Together: Lessons From Lemoore’s OERevolution and Data Journey

Your college has been given funding to complete the AB 928 Transfer Alignment Project, and there may be funds for professional development. Make sure you select breakout sessions that align with the project so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the grant's purpose.

Justification: “I would like to attend the RP Conference 2026, and I am asking for funding from AB 928. The RP Conference is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. It provides IRPE professionals with a dedicated space to strategize and share how they are informing and supporting equitable change focused on identified student needs and priorities at their institutions, such as the Transfer Alignment Project, to ease the transition from community college to university. The conference features several breakout sessions that can help us achieve the objectives of our grant. Here are some of the sessions I would like to attend: [list them here].”

Sessions to Highlight:

• College Enrollment Decisions and Trajectories Among Community College Applicants

• Redefining Progress: Estimating and Evaluating Time-to-Completion in Non-Traditional Educational Models

• Making Meaning and Change Together: A Collaborative Approach to Strategic Plan Implementation

• Aligning SWP Projects to Vision-Aligned Reporting: A Framework for Equity-Driven Decision Intelligence

• You Can’t Count If You’re Not Counted: Inclusive Data to Drive Black Student Success

• Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: Centering Black People and Outcomes

• Transforming Mindsets: Using Adult Learner Research to Drive Belonging and Retention

Colleges have been given a small amount of funding for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and your college may have dedicated some of the funding for professional development. Select breakout sessions that align with the project so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the funding’s purpose.

Justification: “I would like to attend the RP Conference 2026, and I am asking for funding from Credit for Prior Learning. The RP Conference is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. It provides IRPE professionals with a dedicated space to strategize and share how they are informing and supporting equitable change focused on identified student needs and priorities at their institutions, such as Credit for Prior Learning, that can help us achieve the funding objectives. I plan to attend [list sessions]:

Session to Highlight

• It Takes a Village to Earn CPL by Our Noncredit Credit by Exam Mechanism

• Laptop (PC or Mac)

• HDMI (or micro HDMI) to VGA adaptor (if your laptop requires HDMI for projector connection)

• Mac adaptor if bringing a Mac laptop

• Your presentation on a backup flash drive

• Any handouts/session evaluations you plan to distribute (we suggest bringing a minimum quantity of 50 with you to be safe). Please note that we will NOT be able to do any copying or printing on-site.

• Any supplies needed for your presentation not mentioned

• Podium
• Head table for three
• Materials table at the back of the room
• Water station

Sound:

• One podium mic (wireless)

• Laptop sound

• Speakers

• Mixer

AV:

• LCD projector

• Wireless remote/laser pointer

• Cables as needed

• Power strip

• Screen

• Flipchart pad/markers (only upon request)

If there is anything else you need, please email Lila Tavelli at professionaldevelopment@rpgroup.org by Wednesday, March 25, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

A Note on Music During Sessions

Using music during your session or small-group time is a great way to welcome and/or connect with attendees. However, if you choose to play music during your session, please keep the volume low. In addition, we encourage you to refrain from using music while people are speaking, as it can make hearing the presenters or other participants challenging for attendees, especially those who are hard of hearing.

A host will be assigned to your room to assist you with needs such as distributing handouts, changing lighting/room temperature, contacting AV support, or other needs. They will also help you to keep the session on schedule, make any closing announcements, and direct attendees to the next session.

Should your session fill, the host will place a “Session Full” sign outside the door. In most cases, we are unable to add chairs to rooms, but your session host will work with staff to make that call if needed. It will depend on space and fire code restrictions. For this reason, no one is allowed to sit on the floor.

We encourage you to arrive 15 minutes early for your session to meet your room host and to test your presentation.

We would like to make your presentation slides and session materials available to conference attendees through the event app. Before submitting your materials, please make sure to review all visual content and any physical handouts to ensure they meet accessibility standards. This helps to ensure that all participants can fully engage with your session.

Important: We are only able to post materials that are fully accessible. Need Help? View our guide to creating accessible materials.

PowerPoint presentations must be exported as an accessible PDF file and submitted no later than Monday, April 6, at 12 pm, so they may be reviewed for accessibility standards. Email your PDF file to Jennifer Cooley at professionaldevelopment@rpgroup.org using the following format to name your files: “Session Title_Lead Presenter Name.” Please note: If your presentation PDF does not meet accessibility standards, it will be sent back to you for revisions.

The conference will not be conducting individual session evaluations. If you would like to invite written feedback at the conclusion of your session, you may distribute your own evaluation form to your participants. If you plan to do so, reserve approximately five minutes at the end of your session to allow attendees time to complete them.

The RP Conference registration desk is located in the Royal Ballroom Foyer, where you will check in and receive your conference badge. Please wear your name badge while you are at the conference. In addition to letting others know your name and affiliation, it is your ticket for meals, sessions, and special events.

The registration desk will be open during the following time periods:

• Wednesday, April 15, 8:00 am–5:00 pm

• Thursday, April 16, 8:00 am–3:30 pm

• Friday, April 17, 7:30–8:30 am (for post-conference workshop registration)

Access schedules, sessions, and more before, during, and after the conference

Access the app from your browser.  

To access the app on your mobile device:

1. Download the CVENT Events app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

2. Search for Event “RP Conference 2026”

For app login issues, please contact Stacey at sboswell@meetingwise.net.

Complimentary wireless internet service will be provided in guest rooms.

To access the wireless internet in the meeting rooms, please use:
Network: Hyatt_meeting
Password: RP2026

Lila Tavelli
Associate Director of Professional Development
The RP Group
Professionaldevelopment@rpgroup.org

Tongva (Gabrielino) Peoples
The Tongva people are the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin and surrounding areas, including present-day Orange County. With a history spanning thousands of years, Tongva communities continue to be active across the region today, engaging in cultural revitalization, education, and advocacy for recognition and land stewardship.

Engage with the Tongva (Gabrielino) community: Learn about current initiatives, cultural education efforts, and ways to support through the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe.

Acjachemen (Juaneño) Nation
The Acjachemen people are the original inhabitants of the lands spanning much of present-day Orange County. Today, the Acjachemen Nation continues to preserve and share its cultural traditions, advocate for environmental and cultural protection, and engage in community education and partnership efforts.

Support the Acjachemen (Juaneño) Nation: Visit the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation website to learn about their work, community efforts, and opportunities for support.

We encourage you to move beyond acknowledgment and explore ways to meaningfully support Indigenous communities, including the Tongva and Acjachemen Nations connected to the land where we will gather:

• Learn more about the land you are on:
  Explore Native Land Digital to better understand Indigenous territories, languages, and histories.

• Support Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives in Southern California:
  Consider donating to or amplifying organizations that support Indigenous communities in the region, including those focused on land stewardship, cultural preservation, and education:

  • Acjachemen Land Conservancy

  • Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

  • Journeys to the Past

• Support Indigenous artists, businesses, and creators:
  Seek out and support Native-owned businesses, artwork, and cultural products during your time in the region and beyond. You can explore curated directories and marketplaces such as:

  • USC Native American Student Assembly Native-Owned Business Directory

  • Partnership With Native Americans Buy Native Program

• Continue your learning:
  Engage with books, media, and educational resources created by Indigenous voices to deepen your understanding beyond the conference.

• Native Land Digital
• Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe
• Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation