Western Positive Psychology Association – 10th Annual Conference – Highlights, Review, Awards, Event Photo Galleries, and Gratitude
May 29-31, 2026
Claremont California, hosted by Claremont Graduate University (CGU)
WPPA 2026 10th Anniversary Team Photo – Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Stewart I. Donaldson, Claremont Graduate University (CGU) Distinguished Professor of Positive Organizational Psychology, President of the Claremont Flourishing Center (CFC), and President and Co-Founder of WPPA, kicked off our 3-day 10th Anniversary Conference by warmly welcoming everyone and introducing our Friday evening Keynote Speaker, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Riverside and internationally famed researcher, speaker, and author followed by a wine & cheese Welcome Reception held in the CGU Drucker School of Managementpatio courtyard.
WPPA Saturday’s full-day program attendees were treated to a breakfast buffet and enthusiastic greeting by Dr. Donaldson describing the program ahead featuring Invited Speakers Jamie Shapiro, Saida Heshmati, Jessica Diaz, Dakota Cintron, Jessica DeHart & Emily Cauble, Jason T. Siegel, and Matt Dubin.
Shari Young Kuchenbecker shared the WPPA 2013-2026 growth across 13 years and 10 conferences reminding us, in the words of Phil Zimbardo, “the best is yet to come!”
Stewart went on to let everyone know about the exciting research and applied sessions, symposia, poster presentations, Awards Ceremony ahead with our concluding gratitude session led by Jamie Shapiro, plus a patio wine & cheese celebration following.
Stewart high lighted Saturday’s exciting patio luncheonand Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Shaun Tomson, world champion surfer, best selling author, motivational Keynote, entrepreneur and environmentalist sharing The Code and wisdom for instigating and achieving personal and social change.
The Saturday program culminated later in the day with WPPA’s AWARDS CEREMONY including Best Poster Awards (+gift cards) for contributing to building positive psychology science going to Neda Sumsar, et al., (1st); Seyedeh Shahangia, et al., (2nd) both awards accepted by their faculty advisor Saida Heshmati (photo below), and Amrit Pal Kaur Gill (3rd) presented by Tatiana Shemiakina (photos below).
The new WPPA Faculty Research Mentor Award was given to Giacomo Bono, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at California State University – Dominguez Hills (CSU-DH) and acclaimed best-selling author of Making Grateful Kids: The Science Building Character (Froh & Bono) and other books, for consistently bringing students, student researchers, and research presentations to WPPA conferences, contributing to building the science of positive psychology , + attending all ten (10) WPPA Conferences since 2014! Congratulations and thank you, Dr. Bono.
Jun Kabigting, Ph.D. received the 1st WOW Award for his work volunteering, recruiting WPPA members at WPA and other events and conferences, his many photo contributions, and consistently sharing his smiles, time, talents, and his WOW (Jean Nakamura’s exclamatory word) research building our community, positive psychology, and WPPA (photos below).
Stewart I. Donaldson, Ph.D. , WPPA President and Co-Founder, received the Golden Gavel Plaque for his exceptional leadership building positive psychology through community, organizational research, theory, and practice, allyship, mentorship, and tremendous research contributions guiding positive psychology into the future. Tatiana Shemiakina was awarded the WPPA Blue Crystal Award for her outstanding work as WPPA’s 10th Conference Chair, from recruiting Keynote Speakers to abstract and review committee selections, from program design and creation to printing, from banquet foods to wine & cheese, from arranging technology to on-podium trouble-shooter extraordinaire, Tatiana’s gracious style and many talents created our wonderful three-day experiences with memories to be cherished by all. Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., WPPA Associate Director and C0-Founder, was presented the WPPA Gratitude Plaque for her work as past WPPA conferences chair, website and newsletter (2017-2025), author, positive psychology research, community building, and event photographer. All award recipients received ovations applaus from our standing room only conference attendees.
Thank you, community! Congratulations to all award winners.
Saturday’s program concluded by warmly sending Stewart off to be with his daughter for the birth of his second grandchild, and care for his daughter’s very attached puppy! Jamie Shapiro guided our gratitude sharing session with heartfelt audience participation supported by Zachary Swanson Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Claremont Flourishing Center. graciously thanking our many sponsors including the Rekhi Foundation for Happiness. A beautiful California wine & international cheese celebration in The Drucker School of Management courtyard followed.
Sunday’s program featured three (3) Workshops titled Introductory Evaluation Tools for Positive Psychology Interventions by Jennifer Villalobos, Ph.D. and Vicki Cabrera, Ph.D., Designing Conditions for Positive Development Across the Lifespan Through Play by Lin Lim, Ph.D., MBA, (cancelled-unforeseen circumstances), and What Will It Mean to Thrive? Exploring the Future of Human Well-Being by Matthew Higgins, MA, MBA, CGU Ph.D. Candidate.
For our successful WPPA 10th Conference, we extend our sincere thanks to our WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference Chair – Tatiana Shemiakina – MA, Organizational Development Consultant, researcher & CGU doctoral student, to Stewart I. Donaldson, WPPA President, to our Keynote and Invited speakers, podium, symposia, and poster presenters, volunteers, attendees, and especially to our conference sponsor, philanthropist Rekhi Singh and the Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, Tiffany Berry, Ph.D., Full Research Professor and Dean, CGU School of Social Science, Policy & Evaluation, Event Coordinator, Lidia, the Leader and Organization Vitality Lab (LOV-Lab) , Western Positive Psychology Association, CGU100, Claremont Graduate University Programs, CGU Admissions – Nathan Araujo, CGU Office of Recruitment – Austin Chen, and the Claremont Flourishing Center.
WPPA 10th Annual Conference – Claremont Graduate University (CGU) Claremont, CA Photo Galleries
Thank you ALL for your contributions – presenting, attending, session chairing, volunteering, participating, and special thanks to those sharing their photos with us!
Friday, May 29, 2026
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZjVmQiu7YxLXp6Fx6
Saturday, May 30, 2026
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hA1LkLcBhhBnPaUv6
Sunday, May 31, 2026
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ao8TvdpT35ZwYLVP9
Gratitude to all sharing photos including Jun Kabigting, Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University (CGU), Claremont, CA, Robin Johnson, Robin Learning Systems, La Cresenta, CA, Jony Weiss, MPH; and William Weiss.
Thank you, ALL for your contributions – presenting, attending, volunteering, sharing their photos, participating – and special thanks to our WPPA Conference Sponsors.
WPPA 10th Conference Review
As Western Positive Psychology Association (WPPA) commemorates its 10th Anniversary Conference and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) marks 100 years of academic excellence, we chose our WPPA 10th Anniversary theme to be:
“Flourishing in Challenging Times”
This timely theme, echoing Viktor Frankl’s famous words from Man’s Search for Meaning (1946) – “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” underscores the power of personal agency, resilience, and growth in adversity, as well as the importance of finding meaning when circumstances are beyond our control. Over a dynamic program of keynote talks, interactive panels, and workshops, participants engaged with cutting-edge researchers, world renowned international speakers, faculty, students, and fellow attendees on well-being, meaning and human flourishing.
We thank those who joined us to celebrate WPPA’s 10th Conference and thirteen (13) community building years as well as CGU’s 100th Anniversary we explored how positive psychology’s evidence-based insights can help individuals and communities find hope, purpose, and the capacity to flourish even in the most challenging times.
WPPA’s 10th Annual conference was in person in Claremont, California, USA from May 29-31, 2026. We were positively nostalgic to host our 10th Annual WPPA Conference back at our founding home at Claremont Graduate University after traveling successfully to Albuquerque, New Mexico – University of New Mexico (2024) and to Sacramento, CA – California State University – Sacramento (2025).
As an association, WPPA is dedicated to creating a collaborative scientific community of faculty, students, scholars, researchers, and practitioners to advance and support the field of positive psychology. Our vision is to increase scientific research, collaborative investigations, and recognition of positive psychology’s contributions by creating an impactful and sustainable academic presence of positive psychology in the western region of the United States and beyond.
Our 10th WPPA Anniversary Conference included presentations from across the US, Canada, Korea, Australia, Europe, and more.
Flourishing in Challenging Times
Our WPPA 10th Anniversary three-day conference at Claremont Graduate University began Friday evening, May 29th featuring Keynote Speaker Sonja Lyubomirsky – Feeling Happy and Feeling Loved: What I learned About Increasing Well-Being From 36 Years of Happiness Science.
Click here to see our Invited Speakers: 10th WPPA Conference Invited Speakers
Our WPPA Abstract Review Committee reviewed and selected submissions chosen for academic rigor and contributing to the science of positive psychology, particularly those focusing on those addressing our timely conference theme – Flourishing in Challenging Times.
Congratulations to all accepted presentation authors and co-authors. Competition was vigorous and we share here Guidelines for all WPPA 2026 Presentations including podium, symposia, workshops, and posters with additional Instructions for WPPA 2026 Poster Preparation and Presentation. Please refer to these guidelines when you submit for our next WPPA Annual Conference in 2027
The line-up of keynote speakers was outstanding!
WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference Program – CGU – 2026
FINAL 2026 WPPA Full Program
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WPPA Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award
Thanks to the generous support of Rekhi Singh—whose enthusiasm for education and positive psychology shines as brightly – the Western Positive Psychology Association (WPPA) is delighted to announce the establishment of the Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award.
This award celebrates excellence in teaching in the field of positive psychology at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. It honors educators who make the science of happiness and well-being come alive in the classroom—those whose creativity, compassion, and commitment inspire the next generation of positive psychology scholars and practitioners.
Peer as well as self-nominations are encouraged, as are nominations of fellow colleagues who exemplify excellence in teaching. Please, students, past students, and colleagues, consider surprising an amazing teacher you believe deserves attention.
Submissions begin September 1, 2026!
Award Criteria and Submission Guidelines
Eligibility
This award will be given annually and recognizes excellence in teaching in the field of positive psychology (e.g., courses such as Psychology of Happiness, Positive Psychology, Health & Well-Being, or related subjects) at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, as well as contributing to building the science of positive psychology.
We proudly announce the Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award competition to be awarded at our 11th Annual Conference – 2027 to be held April 23-26, 2027 at California State University – Dominguez Hills. Giacomo Bono, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology will be our Faculty Academic Conference Chair.
Please help us advertise this new Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award (2027) recognizing undergraduate and/or graduate university all star teaching.
WPPA Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award Guidelines for Nomination-Submission
WPPA Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Faculty Research Mentor Award
For the 10th Anniversary Conference, WPPA honors the many faculty members who mentor, support, guide, and bring student researcher studies to our conferences. Bringing student researchers in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, 2026 conferences – other than our Claremont Graduate University faculty members – one (1) exceptional university professor has attended all the Annual Conferences and brought student researchers as podium, symposia, and/or poster presentations across the years.
The inaugural Winner of the Faculty Research Mentoring award announced Friday evening, May 29th, 2026 at the WPPA 10th Conference Celebration was Giacomo Bono, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at California State University – Dominguez Hills (CSU-DH) and acclaimed best-selling author of Making Grateful Kids: The Science Building Character (Froh & Bono) and other books, for consistently bringing students, student researchers, and research presentations to WPPA conferences, contributing to building the science of positive psychology , + attending all 10 WPPA Conferences since 2014! Congratulations, Dr. Bono!
For next year year’s conference, we enthusiastically invite you to help us get the word out about our new annual Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award (2027) competition.
The winner to be on stage with an engraved award commemorative crystal and photos at the 11th WPPA Annual Conference culmination celebration.
We take this opportunity to honor all those who teach Positive Psychology and what it means to guide students toward purpose, meaning, well-being, and flourishing in their lives.
Thank YOU teachers of positive psychology and those of you who use research based findings to improve your classes, therapy, and coaching.
Again, a heartfelt thanks to Rekhi Singh for making this celebration of teaching excellence possible.
We are seeking the most inspiring, creative, and contributive Positive Psychology Teachers (undergraduate and/or graduate). PLEASE – present and past students, colleagues, and faculty chairs/deans, let us know the Positive Psychology Teacher you believe is among the best of the best!
Let the nominations begin!
Questions and nominations to:
Thing to Do, Airports, and Accommodations
Things to Do
Claremont Graduate University (CGU), Claremont, California is located in Southern California in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. The Conference will be held on the CGU Campus in the Burkle Hall Family Building – address 1245 E. 12th St., Claremont, CA 91711. See the CGU Campus Interactive map below.
Considered the Entertainment Capital of the World, we hope you will Visit California – LA to begin gathering ideas for thing to do on your trip.
There are so many sights to see, places to visit, and activities to consider – from the beautiful Santa Monica/Malibu beaches (pictured above) to the San Bernardino Mountains, from the Hollywood and San Fernando Valley movie studios to the many universities, colleges, and cutting edge scientific research institutions, from the world-renowned Getty Museum and The Getty Center to hiking in Historic Will Rogers State Park (Pacific Palisades), Discover LA is a great place to visit offering so many exciting opportunities.
Consider:
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- The Grove and the LA’s Original Farmer’s Market
- Venice Beach
- Griffith Observatory
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- and so much more!
Airports
Claremont Graduate University (CGU), Claremont, California is in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. The nearest airport is Ontario International Airport (ONT) with Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) not far away.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 50 miles (80 km) from CGU campus with ground transportation (Metrolink trains, auto, bus, Uber, Lyft services). Some hotels provide shuttle buses as well.
Accommodations
There are many affordable options for accommodations close to Claremont.
- WPPA Hotels nearby – Reserve Your Room – Direct booking
- Priceline, Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com offer many affordable accommodations for May 29-31, 2026. You may also check out AirbnB.com and Vrbo.
Quick View of Conference Site – Interactive Map – Burkle Hall, Claremont Graduate University
We are looking forward to seeing you at our WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference celebrating and building the science of positive psychology together!
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WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our 10 Anniversary Conference Sponsors for supporting and guiding our celebration culminating 10 years – furthering our mission through collaborative student-faculty research within and between institutions building the science of positive psychology!
Donating to the Conference
If you would like to make a tax-free donation to support this conference, you can donate to the WPPA conference fund when you register. Your donation will be used to support students and presentations. For donations, please use the Group Registration portal and specify the donation you wish to make. When you register group of WPPA attendees, please pay the the number of participants you wish to register (note: student vs. professional rate) and add you donation amount to the total. Please email shari@wppanetwork.org and specify the registrants’ names, their status (student, general), academic/organization affiliation, their email, and the amount you are paying for each (note student vs. professional rate). If you wish to add additional money to support the conference, we thank you. All donations will be put toward students’ attendance and additional conference expenses. If you are a DONOR, Thank you! We will have your registered individual’s name tags available at check in and your name tag will show you as a CONFERENCE DONOR.
Thank you!
We are grateful to our Conference Chair is Tatiana Shemiakina. She managed all aspects of the 10th Anniversary Conference operations, from program planning, soliciting abstract submissions, advertising the conference, recruiting volunteers, organizing Abstract Review committee members and Poster Award Review committee members, creating an outstanding conference theme – Flourishing in Challenging Times, as well as inviting and communicating with Keynote Speakers and Invited Speakers, all WPPA program submitters, designing, writing, and producing the WPPA Conference program booklet, plus cool handling the day-of and moment-to-moment conference event challenges assuring 3 exceptional days of positive community and conferences experiences.
Tatiana Shemiakina, Director of Operations, Claremont Flourishing Center (CFC)
Chair, WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference 2026
Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D.
WPPA Co-Founder & Executive Director
WPPA Conference Past Chair (2017-2023) & Advisor (2024-2027)