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Community Impact Symposium & Awards 2026

Community Impact Symposium logo. Three red and blue figures with the words community impact symposium and the theme: community, connection, care.

Community Impact Symposium

Event Theme:

"Building Together: Connecting Through Care and Community”

What to expect:

Campus Community Connections (CCC) invites all U of A faculty and staff to the 2nd Annual Community Impact Symposium on Thursday, March 26, 2026. This dynamic event is designed to inspire faculty and staff to foster a welcoming and supportive campus community grounded in care, collaboration, and shared purpose. Admission is FREE!

Event Facilitator

Image of event facilitator, Diane Sotelo

Diane Sotelo

Diane Sotelo finds endless inspiration in the human brain and the quiet, powerful way perseverance develops neuropathways. For more than two decades, she has immersed herself in the study of leadership, mindset development, and the science of how people choose to step into the joy of leadership.

Diane will kick off the symposium with an engaging, interactive session titled, Building Empowered Brains: The Science of Care and Connection. Diane will weave in and out of the program throughout the day, keeping the experience connected, energizing, and grounded in meaningful reflection.

Community Conversations

Attendees will participate in meaningful table discussions that cover a variety of topics. Participants will have the chance to submit topics that will inform these conversations during the open networking portion of the symposium.

Community Aid Activities

Activity #1: Upon entry, attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to benefit the Campus Panty. Those who choose to donate will be entered into a raffle held during the closing ceremony.

Activity #2: An interactive activity sponsored by the U of A College of Medicine and led by Beads of Courage, Inc., a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and teens coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through our Arts-in-Medicine Programs.  

Speaker Panel

Members of the Campus Community Connections Student Advisory Group will share their experiences with recent changes to the Student Culture and Engagement Hub and answer questions about how faculty and staff can continue supporting both the student spaces and the students who rely on them.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events

All events will take place in the Student Union North Ballroom

  • 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Check-in and open networking (simple breakfast provided)
    • Upon entry, attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items.
  • 10:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.: Welcome
  • 10:10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Opening Activity
    • Diane Sotelo - "Building Empowered Brains: The Science of Care and Connection"
  • 10:45 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Community Conversations
  • 12:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.: Community Impact Awards Luncheon (buffet)
    • 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Time for attendees to go through the buffet line
    • 12:15 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.: Welcome
    • 12:20 p.m. - 12:25 p.m.: Community Group Awardees Recognition
    • 12:25 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.: Celebration of Nominees
    • 12:40 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.: Community Impact Awards
    • 1:05 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.: Closing
  • 1:10 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.: Mid-day Activity
    • Diane Sotelo
  • 1:25 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Community Aid Activity
    • Beads of Courage - sponsored by U of A College of Medicine
  • 2:20 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.: Speaker Panel
    • CCC Student Advisory Board
  • 2:50 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Closing & Raffle

Registration ends on Friday, March 20 at 5 PM MST.

REGISTER

Community Impact Awards

This year, we will honor one faculty member, one staff member, and one student during a special luncheon at the Symposium.  
 
Faculty, staff, and students are each invited to nominate one faculty member, one staff member, and one U of A student for the CCC Community Impact Awards. Presented on stage at the 2nd Annual Community Impact Symposium, these awards celebrate the exceptional contributions of individuals who foster community and expand opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.  

Nominees will be considered based on their demonstrated initiatives, policies and practices that center on infrastructure, community building, collaboration and opportunity.
 
Nominations are now closed.