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    • Western Positive Psychology Association – 10th Annual Conference

    May 29-31, 2026 (Friday evening, Saturday all day, and Sunday morning)

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

    As 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, 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.

    Flourishing in Challenging Times

    Our WPPA 10th Anniversary three-day conference at Claremont Graduate University will begin 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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WPPA 10th Anniversary Conference 3-Day Program

    Our WPPA Abstract Review completed their reviews and have notified all accepted presenters.  Competition was stiff and included selections were 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.  We offer Guidelines for all WPPA 2026 Presentations including podium, symposia, workshops, and posters with additional Instructions for WPPA 2026 Poster Preparation and Presentation. 

    We are busy creating an exciting program of podium presentations, symposia, posters, and workshops bringing together the newest research and applications from around the world.  

    PLUS +

    The line-up of keynote speakers is one of the most outstanding ever!  Watch for details coming soon.

    Please remember to:

    REGISTER to ATTEND

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

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

    Please note that ALL registration fees are non-refundable.

    WPPA 10th Conference QR Code Register to ATTEND 

    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. Considered the Entertainment Capital of the World, we hope you will Visit California – LA  to begin gathering ideas.

    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:

    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.

    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 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 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.

    In late fall, 2025, we proudly announced the 1st Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award competition and created guideline you will find below. Wanting to include our expanding community of positive psychology faculty across the US and internationally, our executive committee met in late January, 2026 and voted to extend our advertising campaign for this award into the 2026-2027 year and to make this 2026 Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching & Mentoring Award honoring those faculty members who support, guide, and mentor student researchers by submitting and bringing their research with students to our WPPA Annual Conferences across the years.  We are excited to recognize and honor these exceptional faculty members attending and bringing student researchers in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, and 2025! Note, we, like the world, took a few COVID19 years off.

    We invite you to help us get the word out about Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award (2027) and the Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching & Mentoring Award (2026) to be recognized on stage (with photos, of course) at the WPPA Annual Conference.

    Nomination Process for the 1st Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award (to be given in 2027 at the 11th WPPA Conference):

    • Nomination by others: Submit nominee name + contact information by Jan. 31, 2026. Nominees will be invited on Feb 1, 2027 to submit full materials including course syllabus (syllabi), letters of support (minimum of 2 colleagues, 2 students), sample learning activities, teaching evaluations, additional supportive materials, and Curriculum Vitae. Deadline for all material submissions is March 1, 2027.
    • Self-nominations: Welcome.  Please follow nomination guidelines above.

    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, 2027

    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 1st Rekhi Singh Positive Psychology Teaching Award will be honored at the closing event of the 11th WPPA Conference 2027.

    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.

    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:

    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. 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 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 Past Chair (2017-2023) & Advisor (2024-2026)