The UC AGS conference brings together graduate program coordinators, graduate faculty advisors, and Graduate Division staff and mentors to discuss best practices and innovations in advising, program management and graduate student support. The conference was established in 2018 through an ongoing collaboration between the Graduate Program/Group Coordinators and Graduate Studies and has demonstrated tremendous success and growth.  

The theme for 2026 is: Growing R’Grads: Innovative Approaches to Graduate Student Advising

Questions about the conference? Please contact representatives from the Planning Committee:

• Budget - Kara Oswood, Co-Chair (kara.oswood@ucr.edu) and Dawn Loyola, Co-Chair (dawn.loyola@ucr.edu)
• Logistics - Jolene Sedita (jolene.sedita@ucr.edu)
• Communications & Registration - Heather Killeen (heather.killeen@ucr.edu) and Jolene Sedita (jolene.sedita@ucr.edu) 
• Hospitality - Nikita McWells (nikita.mcwells@ucr.edu), Evelyn Sullivan (evelyn.sullivan@ucr.edu), and Manny Perez (manuel.perezjr@ucr.edu) 
• Proposals - Brenda Cuevas (brenda.cuevas@ucr.edu) and Fidel Rivas (fidel.rivas@ucr.edu)
• Volunteers - Jessica Renteria (jessica.renteria@ucr.edu)

Schedule*

8:00 am - Opening Remarks and Keynote

10:00 - Breakout Sessions

12:00 pm - Lunch

1:00 pm - Breakout Sessions

3:30 Closing Remarks 

4:30 - Conference Ends

*Schedule is tentative and subject to change

Registration Information Coming Soon!

Transportation

Air

The closest airport to the UCR campus is Ontario International (ONT). There are many direct flights from other California cities. 

Drive

The UCR campus is located at 900 University Avenue, Riverside CA 92521. 

Lodging

There are several local hotels that offer special UC rates. In downtown Riverside there is the Marriott, Hyatt Place, and the historic Mission Inn. The Ayres Hotel in Moreno Valley is a short drive to campus, is very nice and has good rates. There are also a couple of more basic options close to campus (just avoid the Dynasty Suites, trust us). 

The complete list of hotels is available on the UCR Procurement website.

The deadline to submit proposals is April 15, 2025, 11:59 PST. Please submit the proposal here:  https://forms.gle/dsMANLtVnQJKX9rh8 

Suggested topics are below, and we also welcome submissions in other areas that are related to the conference theme:

• Navigating AI in advising 

• Fostering supportive mentoring relationships

• Repairing professional relationships after conflict 

• Creating cross-campus partnerships to holistically support students

• How do we create community in a virtual world?

• Professional Development: Enhance your current work or prepare for other positions on campus

• Reconnection: How do we reconnect our work and student communities?

• Hybrid Advising: Best practices for advising students both in-person and remotely

Interested in volunteering on the planning committee or helping the day of the conference? Fill out the Conference Volunteer Form and someone from the committee will be in touch.