ASPEC Department Conference

3rd Annual ASPEC Conference

March 27, 2026, at 9am-12pm PT

The Applied Behavior Analysis, School Psychology, and Educational Counseling (ASPEC) Department of NU invites you to the 3rd annual ASPEC Conference, where we come together virtually for a half day of interactive and collaborative presentations.

Important Dates:

  • Call for Proposals Opens: December 1st, 2025
  • Proposals Due: March 2nd, 2026
  • Registration Opens: January 12th, 2026
  • Registration Deadline: March 20th, 2026
Register Now

Theme: Thriving Through Change

After many unexpected shifts in education this year, we invite you to pause, reflect on what worked, and cultivate new opportunities. Thriving Through Change welcomes students, faculty, researchers, and administrators to share studies, teaching innovations, celebrate community projects, and professional lessons learned. Topics may include, but are not limited to, student research, responsible AI and data use, whole-human education and belonging, strengthening wellness, trauma-informed practice, cross-sector partnerships, and higher-ed practices that support all students. We also welcome novel ideas or bold proposals that inspire! Join us to connect, contribute, and leave with practical ideas you can apply in your classrooms, research, and institutions.

Call for Proposals: Share Your Unique Research and Presentations!

We invite you to contribute to the dialogue by submitting a conference talk, research presentation, or panel proposals! Each should be between 200-250 words explaining what you’d like to share. Whether you have insights on wellness strategies, AI applications, behavioral health interventions, or other ASPEC related topics, your voice is valued and appreciated!

Proposals Due: March 2nd, 2026
Submit your proposals here

Register Form – coming soon

Conference fee

  • $20 for Current NU Students
  • $35 for Faculty/Alumni/Staff/Community Members

For questions, please email [email protected]

Our inaugural ASPEC conference last year was very successful and focused on Multidisciplinary Collaborative Problem-Solving. Dr. Kim Levey, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs in the Sanford College of Education at National University was the keynote speaker. Additional speakers and presentations included:

  • Dr. Linda Cummins & Dr. Laurie Wellner: Educators’ Moral Orientation and Their Commitment to Core Professional Values in Practice: Opportunities for Collaborative Practices in Schools
  • Dr. Faheema Abdool-Ghany & Oscar Silva: Proactive Collaboration to Support Student Success
  • Mr. Brandon Hutson: Interprofessional Collaboration: On-site Mental Health Counselors and Teachers
  • Dr. Mark Nguyen, Dr. Trube Miller, Dr. Sladjana Rakich, & Oscar Silva: Cases on Current Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities in School Counseling
  • Dr. Sharlyn Crump: The BEST! Classroom Behavior Continuum Scale Report for Educator

Conference organizers were Dr. Tricia Crosby-Cooper, Mr. Oscar Silva, Ms. Monica Seechan, and Dr. Trube Miller.

2023 ASPEC Conference Program

2nd Annual ASPEC Conference

October 12, 2024

Theme: Supporting as We Serve

This year’s conference, we delved into the theme of “Supporting as we Serve,” exploring how our professions intersect to provide the best support for those we serve. From fostering wellness and selfcare to leveraging AI in education and addressing behavioral health, our diverse range of strands promises engaging discussions and innovative ideas.

Strand Themes: Wellness and Self-Care

Wellness and Self-Care focuses on the comprehensive importance of wellness and self-care for faculty, students, practitioners, and clients.

AI and Education

AI and Education explores the transformative impact – and ethical considerations – of artificial intelligence across various levels, from individual learners to entire educational systems.

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health addresses the critical aspects of behavioral health within educational environments. This strand encompasses a wide range of subjects, including interventions for students with behavioral challenges, promoting positive behavior supports, and understanding the impact of trauma on learning.