The Division of Student Affairs Professional Development Conference (PDC) began in 1993 under former Vice Chancellor Michael Young as a way to highlight the incredible talent within the Division while supporting the professional development and growth of our staff.
PDC 2025 marked our 27th conference and our first since December 2019, making it an especially exciting and meaningful return.
PDC’s return was a celebration of community, learning, and shared purpose. At a time when connection matters more than ever, PDC created space for staff to come together to learn, reflect, and be inspired. These moments strengthen our sense of belonging and energize our collective work in service of the UCSB campus and, most importantly, our students.
PDC is a day filled with connection, curiosity, and renewed motivation. The 2025 theme, “Nurture, Grow, Lead: Cultivating the Future Together,” was woven throughout the day as staff participated in 37 engaging workshops led by 58 talented colleagues from across Student Affairs and the broader campus. We are deeply grateful to our presenters for bringing their enthusiasm, creativity, and expertise, and for making PDC 2025 a day to remember.
PDC 2026 – Anchored: Purpose, People, Progress
We're excited to host the Student Affairs Professional Development Conference for the second consecutive year, marking the 28th conference hosted by Student Affairs.
Save the Date: Thursday, December 10, 2026
For Student Affairs career staff and invited guests.
This year's theme, "Anchored: Purpose, People, Progress," reflects our commitment to staying grounded in our values, connected to our purpose, and dedicated to supporting students through times of change. Together, we'll celebrate collaboration, strengthen relationships, and create opportunities to learn from one another across the division.
PDC 2026 Timeline
Important Links
Thank you for your interest in presenting at PDC! We will begin accepting program proposals for PDC 2026 on July 1, 2026, for those who would like to be considered as presenters. The committee will begin reviewing proposals on September 1 and will continue accepting proposals until the schedule is full. If you have any questions, please contact Maya Moore.
If you have an idea or suggestion for the planning committee, please share your feedback using the form below. All responses will remain anonymous.
Please use this form to let us know about any accommodations you may need for the conference. This includes accessibility needs for the all-day program (e.g., mobility access, captioning, assistive listening, seating preferences) as well as dietary accommodations for lunch. (The form will reopen in November 2026.)
Your responses will remain confidential and will only be shared with staff coordinating accommodations for the event. To ensure we can make the necessary arrangements, please submit your request by November 20th. Thank you for helping us make the PDC an inclusive and welcoming experience for all!
Several presenters have generously shared their presentation materials. You can access available slide decks and resources here.
The PDC Committee
Kim Equinoa, Dean of Students Office
Donna Coyne, Office of Admissions
Ashley Marsh, Recreation
Maya Moore, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Marco Muñoz, Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
Ronaldo Noche, MultiCultural Center
Suzanne Perkin, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life