Western Positive Psychology Association – 10th Annual Conference

May 29-31, 2026

Claremont, California, USA, Hosted by Claremont Graduate University and Supported by the Rekhi Singh Foundation for Happiness

Western Positive Psychology Association (WPPA) commemorates its 10th Anniversary Conference and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) marks 100 years of academic excellence, we have chosen 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 will engage with cutting-edge research on well-being, meaning and human flourishing. 

Join us in celebrating these milestones as we explore 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 will be in person in Claremont, California, USA from May 29-31, 2026. We are positively nostalgic to host our 10th Annual WPPA Conference back at our founding home university after traveling 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, 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.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The 10th Annual Western Positive Psychology Association Conference welcomes your abstract submissions.  Submissions are invited in (but not limited to):

• Positive Psychology in Work and Organizations

• Positive Development across the Lifespan

• Positive Health and Well-being

• Positive Psychology in Sports and Leisure

• Theory and Methodology

• Positive Personality and Social Psychology

• Evidence-based Applications in Coaching, Clinical Practice, Teaching, and Diverse Contexts

You may submit your abstracts here or with the QR code below.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  Monday, February 9, 2026 (11:59 pm)

REGISTER to ATTEND

Early Bird Registration
$50 – Student
$125 – Non-Student

End of Early-Bird registration: Monday, March 20, 2025 (11:59 pm PT).

Regular Registration
$75 – Student
$150 – Non-Student

Last day to register online:  May 29, 2026 (Conference Start Date)

Please note that ALL registration fees are non-refundable.

Airport and Accommodations

Claremont is located 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. There are abundant affordable options for accommodations close to Claremont. More information about accommodations coming soon.

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 as a gratitude journal on a good day—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.

Self-nominations are encouraged, as are nominations of colleagues who exemplify excellence in teaching (surprise someone who deserves it!).

Award Criteria and Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

This award recognizes excellence in teaching in the field of positive psychology (e.g., courses such as Psychology of Happiness, Positive Psychology, or related subjects) at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

Nomination Process:

• Nomination by others: Submit nominee name + contact information by Jan. 31, 2025. Nominees will be invited on Feb 1, 2026 to submit full materials. Deadline for materials submission is March 1, 2026.
• Self-nominations: Candidates may submit full materials directly by March 1, 2026.

Nomination Materials:

Each nomination must include the following:

Teaching Portfolio, containing:

1. A statement of teaching philosophy (maximum 2 pages)
2. Most recent sample syllabi
3. Sample learning activities (e.g., assignments, class exercises, and/or research projects)
4. Summaries of course evaluations from the past three (3) years

Additional Required Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae of the nominee
• Two letters of support from colleagues
• Two letters of support from current and/or former students

It is the nominee’s (or nominator’s) responsibility to ensure all supporting letters are received by the final deadline.

Format & Privacy

Please submit materials as a single PDF when possible (portfolio & CV), and have letter writers send letters as PDFs.  Course evaluation summaries may be anonymized.

Selection Criteria

Reviewers will consider (a) quality and clarity of teaching philosophy, (b) course design and learning activities, (c) evidence of student learning/impact (including evaluations), (d) innovation and reflective practices, and (e) commitment to inclusive, supportive learning environments. The Awards Committee reserves the right to not confer this award in any given year if no nomination meets the criteria.

Conflict of Interest

Awards Committee members will recuse themselves from reviewing nominations where a conflict of interest exists

Final Submission Deadline

March 1, 2026

Submission Instructions

Please send all nomination materials electronically to the Chair of the WPPA Awards Committee in care of WPPA.Conference@CGU.edu.

The recipient of the Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award will be honored at the closing event of the WPPA Conference on May 30, 2026, and invited to deliver a brief (10-minute) presentation reflecting their experience and innovations in teaching positive psychology.

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.

Again, a heartfelt thanks to Rekhi Singh for making this celebration of teaching excellence possible.

Let the nominations begin!

Please submit your nominations to:

WPPA.Conference@CGU.edu .

Donating to the Conference

If you would like to make a tax-free donation to support this conference, you can donate to the conference fund when you register. Your donation will be used to support students and presentations. When you register as a group, please pay the the number of participants you wish to register 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, and the amount ou are donating to support the conference.  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 pleased to announce that our Conference Chair is Tatiana Shemiakina.

 

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 Pasr Chair (2017-2023) & Advisor (2024-2026)