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If you have any questions about the conference, please contact:

UHS SA Leadership Conference Chair
Bridget Portier (blportie@central.uh.edu) 
713-743-5807

2026 UHS Student Affairs Leadership Conference

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October 30, 2026
University of Houston-Downtown

This year’s conference theme, Leading with Purpose: Advancing Student Success Together, invites professionals throughout the UH System to share their knowledge, experiences, best practices, and innovative ideas in the following areas: 

  • Purposeful Leadership & Professional Excellence 
  • Student Well-Being & Holistic Success 
  • Belonging, Engagement & Community Building 
  • Innovation, Partnership & Future Readiness 
  • Campus Safety & Awareness 

The 2026 conference will feature a keynote speaker, educational sessions, networking opportunities, breakfast, and lunch, providing attendees with opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships across the UH System.

Register Today!

Program proposals must be submitted by Friday, September 18, 2026. Whether you have a successful initiative, emerging practice, valuable lessons learned, or innovative approach to supporting students, we encourage you to consider presenting and contributing to this year’s conference. 

Submit an educational session proposal

strategically authentic

A Conversation with Dr. Erika Michalski

Dr. Erika Michalski

The Conference Planning Committee is excited to welcome Dr. Erika Michalski, (Title Goes Here).

Dr. Erika Michalski is an aggressive optimist and fierce authenticity advocate with a robust history of providing high-energy, engaging keynotes and workshops designed to empower participants and cultivate new ideas about professional development. Recognized internationally as a certified Master Performance Consultant, she is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel equipped to tackle new challenges as they move forward in personal and professional endeavors. Dr. Erika is known by audiences, clients, colleagues, and students as the one who believes in even the most ambitious possibilities as long as there is a plan rooted in authenticity, and she is always ready to celebrate people’s successes along the way! After a successful career leading highperforming teams in the Midwest, she took her passion for pouring into others and founded Strategically Authentic, a consulting company dedicated to helping individuals and teams leverage who they are to get where they want to be. Drawing from over two decades of work across multiple sectors, she is consistently able to connect with audiences and offer practical skills they can put into action immediately. She frames her work in the most current information around neuroscience, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, employee engagement, human evolution, and just a hint of behavioral economy … in other words, there’s a little something for everyone when Dr. Erika gets involved!

Directions & Parking

Address:
One Main Building
1 Main St.
Houston, Texas 77002
Room Location - A300

Coming from the east on I-10 (East Freeway), take the Downtown/San Jacinto exit (exit 769B), and follow the access road to Main Street. Turn left on N. Main, and proceed over Buffalo Bayou, past the UHD One Main Building toward Commerce St. Turn right onto Commerce St. and proceed past McIntyre's to Travis. Turn right onto Travis St. toward the I-45 on-ramp. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from the west on I-10 (Katy Freeway), take the Downtown/Smith Street exit, turn left on Preston (the first legal left turn), then turn left on Travis Street. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from the north on US-59 (Eastex Freeway), exit to I-10 West/San Antonio and stay in the far right lane. This will be the lane for the Downtown/San Jacinto exit. Follow the access road to Main Street. Turn left on N. Main, and proceed over Buffalo Bayou, past the UHD One Main Building toward Commerce St. Turn right onto Commerce St. and proceed past McIntyre's to Travis. Turn right onto Travis St. toward the I-45 on-ramp. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from the south on US-59 (Southwest Freeway), exit to I-10 West/San Antonio and stay in the far right lane. This will be the lane for the Downtown/San Jacinto exit. Follow the access road to Main Street. Turn left on N. Main, and proceed over Buffalo Bayou, past the UHD One Main Building toward Commerce St. Turn right onto Commerce St. and proceed past McIntyre's to Travis. Turn right onto Travis St. toward the I-45 on-ramp. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from the north on I-45 (North Freeway), take the I-10 East/Downtown/Milam Street exit and stay in the left lane, then turn left onto Commerce, which intersects with both Travis and Main Streets. Turn right onto Travis St. toward the I-45 on-ramp. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from the south on I-45 (Gulf Freeway), exit on Houston Ave./Memorial, turn right to reach Rusk, follow Rusk to Travis and turn left. Shortly before the on-ramp turn right at the traffic light onto Girard St. Take an immediate right toward the parking entrance and an immediate left into the Visitor Garage (201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002).

Coming from either Memorial Drive or Allen Parkway, follow either street into downtown Houston, then turn left on Travis or Main Streets.

 

Visitor Parking Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests are encouraged to utilize public transit options, including the light rail system. For those arriving by car, paid parking options are available near the venue. View map here.
The dress code is business casual. We also encourage attendees to show their institutional pride by wearing their school colors or university-branded attire. 

Check-in will take place on the 3rd floor of the One Main Building, directly outside the Cullen Auditorium. 

  • Check-In Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 
  • Networking & Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 
  • Welcome Address: 9:15 AM (featuring welcoming remarks from UHD's President) 
To verify your registration status, please contact Paul Calhoun calhounp@uhd.edu) or Matthew Montemayor (montemayorm@uhd.edu). On-site registration is available; however, advance notice is greatly appreciated to ensure seamless accommodation. 
Dietary requests submitted during pre-registration have been accounted for in our menu planning. If you have not registered in advance but plan to attend, please contact Paul Calhoun (calhounp@uhd.edu) as soon as possible so we can accommodate your dietary needs. 
All presenters should have received detailed instructions via email prior to the event. If you have specific questions regarding your presentation or session logistics, please reach out to Branston Harris ( harrisb@uhd.edu) or Caleb Wells (wellsc@uhd.edu). 

The full schedule of sessions and workshops is not yet available, but will be published on this UHS Conference website once it is finalized. 

Yes. In addition to the meals provided, Starbucks is conveniently located on the 3rd floor of the One Main Building. Additional dining options are available in the UHD Food Court. 
Yes, dedicated private lactation spaces are available on campus. Please visit the check-in desk outside Cullen Auditorium or contact event staff for access details and room locations (6th floor South side room 610).
Yes. Attendees can connect to the UHD-Guest wireless network. Detailed connection instructions and guest access credentials will be provided at the check-in table. 
Yes. Presenter slides and event materials will be uploaded to the UHS Conference website within one week following the event, subject to presenter approval. 
The One Main Building and Cullen Auditorium are fully ADA-accessible via elevators and ramps. If you require specific physical or auditory accommodations, please contact event staff at the check-in table or reach out in advance to Branston Harris ( harrisb@uhd.edu) or Caleb Wells (wellsc@uhd.edu). 
For administrative or logistical help during the event, please visit the main check-in desk outside Cullen Auditorium. For security or urgent facilities concerns, UHD Campus Police can be reached directly at 713-221-8065. 
Yes, on the first floor of the Student Center, near the restroom just past the elevators and staircase. If you would like access, please stop by the Information Desk on the first floor of the Student Center South to obtain the key.