Why FWCA?

This conference elevates research about women of color in higher education. It creates visiblity in partnership with Dear Higher Education: Letters from the Social Justice Mountain, about scholarship about the experiences of women of color in higher education.
The scope of those participating includes graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and independent scholars.
If your research is about vulnerable communities, intersectionality, microaggressions, succeding despite the odds, persevering in the midst of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other types of oppression, and so many other topics that impact women of color in higher education, this conference is for you.

SPARK FWCA: A Community for Those Who Carry More

The one in the room. The one navigating the halls of the academy with a voice invited into the room, yet still sitting in the back, unheard.

In this community, that story is not explained—it is understood.

Here, we make space for:

Those navigating elder care and child care, often at the same time—balancing multigenerational caregiving while building a career.
Those who journeyed through migrations—of geography, identity, and belonging.
From the Great Migration to the global South, from Central and South America to unfamiliar campuses.
The “outsider” who stays.
The scholar marked by "less, under, micro"—yet still rising with brilliance unmeasured by metrics.
Those who’ve wrestled with imposter syndrome, only to realize the system was built to cast shadows, not reflect light.
Those who feel the burden of a salary differential wrapped in politeness and policy.

2026's SPARK FWCA conference, "Liberation in Practice," was a virtual event from April 9–12, 2026 focusing on healing, justice, and imagination in higher education through workshops, keynotes, and community sessions.

Keynotes:

Annmarie Caño, PhD: Professor at Gonzaga University, discussing Leading Toward Liberation.
Natalie Stites Means, JD: Lakota feminist and activist, focusing on Indigenous sovereignty and community healing.
Asha Saxena: CEO of WLDA, exploring the intersection of AI and Imagination.
Moya Bailey, PhD: Northwestern University professor, presenting the closing keynote on Transforming Misogynoir.

Featured Sessions

Healing & Wellness: Daily "Healing Hours" featuring Vicky Trott (Racial Healing), and Serene Thin Elk (Indigenous Mindfulness).
Professional Workshops: Sessions include Chantay Moore on financial empowerment, Chavella Pittman on thriving while teaching, and Dra. Aurora Chang on trauma-informed writing.
Publishing Panel: A roundtable titled "Ink Under Siege," moderated by Gabriela Torres, featuring editors from various university presses discussing the future of critical work in print.
Scholar Safety: A resource fair and workshop addressing online harassment and digital safety for faculty.