2025-2026 Annual Conference

Full Conference Schedule

WednesdayThursdayFriday

*Subject to change*

Wednesday — November 5, 2025

8:30 am Pre-conference workshop registration opens

9:30 am – 4:30 pm Full-Day Workshops

  • 1A: Building Connections: Using Motivational Interviewing to Support Student Success through School Connectedness (Middle, High)
  • 1B: Supporting Students with a Suicide Prevention Framework and Best Practices (K-12)

9:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Half-day Workshops

  • 2A: Counselors’ Toolkit: Games for Teaching Character & Building an Inclusive School Culture (Elem.)
  • 2B: Emerging School Counselor Cohort (K-12; Must Be Registered Cohort Member)
  • 2C: Get to Work: Using Employability Skills to Shape Behavior (Middle, High)
  • 2D: High School MTMDSS: Every Tier, Every Domain, Every Student (High)
  • 2E: Mindfulness Across All Tiers (Elem.)
  • 2F: Understanding 504: A School Counselor’s Guide (K-12)

1:30 – 4:30 pm Afternoon Half-day Workshops

  • 3A: Alcohol, Vaping, and Cannabis…Oh My! Evidence-Based Resources You Can Implement…Today! (Middle, High)
  • 3B: Beyond Toughness: Helping Boys Build Healthier Connections (Middle, High)
  • 3C: Counseling in Technicolor: Using Data to Evolve Traditions (Elem., Middle)
  • 3D: Executive Functioning: What’s the Support? (Elem.)
  • 3E: Leading the Way: Counselor-Led Career Readiness Professional Learning Communities (K-12)
  • 3F: Taking it to the Next Level: Solution Focused Counseling Theory and Practice (K-12)
  • AOH: Afternoon on the Hill (K-12; FREE; 1:00 – 6:00 pm)

2:00 – 4:00 pm Exhibit Setup 

4:00 – 6:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open

5:00 – 7:00 pm Counselors of Color Meetup

6:00 – 6:30 pm WSCA Directors Meeting 

7:00 – 9:00 pm Welcome to WSCA Social: Networking and Registration Pick Up Social at the Conference Center Foyer

Conference Registration Open | Cash Beverage Bar | Raffle Drawings (Must be Present to Win)


Thursday — November 6, 2025

6:15 am Walking Club

7:00 am Conference Registration Opens

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Exhibits Open (Africa West)

  • Coffee *Sponsored by SecureFutures
  • Professional Headshots *Sponsored by Minnesota Private Colleges
  • Exhibitor Scavenger Hunt

7:00 – 8:00 am Light Continental Breakfast (Exhibit Hall)

7:00 – 7:45 am Dedicated Exhibit Hall Time

7:45 – 8:45 am Sectionals – 1 

9:00 am-10:15 am General Session (Africa East)

  • Professional Recognition Ceremony *Sponsored by WI Air National Guard
  • Keynote Speaker: Fareedah Shaheed *Sponsored by the Wisconsin Technical College System

10:30 – 11:30 am Sectionals – 2

10:30 am–12:00 pm Sectionals – 2i: Intensive

11:30 am – 1:00 pm Fajita Fiesta Lunch (Africa East)

11:40 am–12:00 pm Lunch & Learn – 20 Minute Sectionals

12:15 – 12:45 pm Dedicated Exhibit Hall Time

1:00 – 2:00 pm Sectionals – 3 

12:45 – 2:15 pm Sectionals – 3i – Intensive

2:30 3:30 pm Sectionals – 4

2:15 – 3:30 pm Sectionals – 4i – Intensive *75 Minute Intensive

3:30 – 4:00 pm Nutrition Break & Dedicated Exhibit Hall Time *Sponsored by Rogers Behavioral Health

4:00 – 5:00 pm Sectionals – 5

5:00 – 7:00 pm WSCA Social (Volcano Lounge or Cinco Niños)

  • Social Photobooths Available *Sponsored by Granite Hills Hospital
  • Free Games at Volcano Lounge
  • Live Music at Cinco Ninos

6:30 – 8:00 pm Graduate Student Meetup

7:30 – 10:00 pm Current & Past WSCA Leaders Meetup


Friday — November 7, 2025

6:45 – 7:30 am Sunrise Yoga (Africa Foyer)

7:00 am Walking Club

7:30 – 11:00 am Exhibits and Registration Open 

7:30 8:15 am WSCA Townhall

8:30 – 9:30 am Sectionals – 6

8:00 – 9:30 am Sectionals – 6i – Intensive

9:30 10:00 am Dedicated Exhibit Hall Time

10:00 – 11:00 am Sectionals – 7

11:00 am – 1:00 pm Closing Session (Africa East)

  • Wellness Compass Initiative Brunch
  • Professional Recognition Ceremony
  • Keynote Speaker: Gerry Brooks