Carolinas WPA 2025 Wildacres Conference
Call for Presentations & Proposal Submission Information:
Theme: Planting Hope After–and in the Midst of–Destruction
The weekend after our annual Wildacres Retreat in 2024, the unimaginable occurred. A hurricane ravaged the mountains of Western NC, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. Guests at the retreat had to be airlifted out of Wildacres because Hurricane Helene destroyed the only access road into the retreat. Asheville and other beloved mountain towns, and dear colleagues in our network and their institutions, were forced to reckon with forces beyond our control.
Hurricane Helene was foreshadowing in many ways.
2025 has ushered in many changes to academia that feel beyond our control. The erasure of vital educational grants supporting science and the arts, the dismantling of DEI offices and efforts, the closing of colleges in our region, the disruption of generative AI – so many external factors have impacted the way we work, but the work itself remains. And now, perhaps more than ever, the need for hope is vital.
What does it mean to have hope in uncertain times? Hope is not “easy optimism,” or passively holding an optimistic mindset; instead, hope is an active and resilient force, one in which the hopeful identify and work toward desired outcomes even in the face of significant challenges and adversity.
Associate Professor of Psychology Kendra Thomas (whose appointment is fittingly at Hope College!) studies the intersection of hope and justice. In an article in The Conversation, she writes “Long-term hope is not about looking on the bright side. It is a mindset that helps people endure challenges, tackle them head-on and keep their eyes on the goal.” Her research theorizes virtuous hope, or a decision to “striv[e] toward a purposeful vision of the common good – a hope often shaped by hardship and strengthened through relationships.”
This speaks to what we do in our work and who we are as Carolinas WPA. Even through challenging times, we strive toward the common good, support one another through individual and collective hardships, and strengthen ourselves and our work through our relationships.
Just as our beloved Wildacres has planted hope after destruction, we invite you to the mountains this fall to rest, grieve, and reimagine. How do we lean into the vital work of teaching during times of great upheaval? How do we resist? How do we cling to joy? How might we enact virtuous hope? What seeds might we plant that will take root and grow into better tomorrows?
We encourage individual or team proposals from colleagues who are working in any teaching, research, or administrative positions related to writing. Submissions for traditional presentations, discussion roundtables/conversation starters, workshops, or feedback/reflection sessions are all welcome! These descriptions offer guidelines, but are not intended as rigid restrictions:
- Traditional presentations of research, concepts you’ve tried with meaningful success in the classroom, ideas around pedagogy and teaching you feel are worth sharing, reflections from the field, and so much more! (30 or 60 minute presentations, including Q&A)
- Discussion roundtables/conversation starters involve large or small group dialogue around a central theme or subtopic. These can include case studies, “problem/solution” scenarios, or practical applications that benefit from group discussions. Responses to published think pieces related to our field or provoking questions that help usher meaningful reflection are also invited. (30 or 60 minute time slots)
- Workshop sessions ideas are more hands-on/participatory. These might include developing assignment concepts, revising syllabi based on research, reflection, or new pedagogical approaches, exploring new classroom activities, etc. (60 minute time slots)
- Feedback or Reflection session. Maybe it’s an idea you have brewing for publication, or a larger conference. Maybe it’s the beginning stages of an IRB study that you’d like feedback for. Maybe it’s just space to share reflections on the past few years and hear, “me, too.” (30 or 60 minute time slots)
Please note that wifi can be spotty and limited in speed. Presenters should not count on the ability to access/present/stream material through the internet. We encourage low-tech and low-key presentations!
Submit your proposal by completing the online submission form (linked here and also below) not later than 11:59 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2025. You will be asked to include/indicate:
- Names and contact information (email, home institution) for each person associated with your proposal
- Type of presentation (traditional, discussion roundtable/conversation starter, workshop, or feedback/reflection)
- Requested time (30 or 60 minutes)–Please note that workshops will be assigned 60 minute time slots.
- Whether or not you will need a projector
- A title, a 200-word (more or less) abstract for the program.
- (Optional) A longer description of your proposal to aid in the decision making and planning process
Carolinas WPA 2025 Wildacres Conference Proposal Submission Form
You are entirely welcome to attend without presenting, but those whose proposals are accepted will be listed on the formal agenda. This may help you advocate for travel funding. Proposals also help us plan appropriate groups and design activities around members’ goals.
General Conference Information:
Location. Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC (Directions). Wildacres Retreat is a low-tech, informal setting conducive to relaxing, collaborating, and learning with friends and colleagues across the Carolinas.
Times. The conference begins at 5:00 pm on Monday, September 29th, and concludes at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 1st.
Registration Fee. We have not had a registration fee change in many years, even though the costs at Wildacres have increased. Unfortunately, adjustment is now necessary. The board voted to shift to a tiered registration schedule for Wildacres as we did for the 2025 Meeting in the Middle. The registration fee for this year’s conference is as follows:
$350–Those with full travel funding from their institution
$275–Those with partial funding from their institution
$225–Those with no funding from their institution
$70–Day rate for those who do not need lodging
Registration includes 2 nights’ lodging in double occupancy rooms (with the exception of the day rate), 5 meals at Wildacres, as well as all conference materials and annual voting membership in Carolinas Writing Program Administrators. The registration link is forthcoming.
Deadline to Register. Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 5, 2025. (The registration link is forthcoming.)
Plans changed? Registration will be fully refunded if we are notified by email not later than 5 pm on Sunday, September 13, 2025. (Final group information is due to Wildacres on the 15th. After that, we are financially “on the hook” for the number of people we’ve registered. Room assignments must be established on the 14th.)
Questions or Comments? – Contact Carolinas WPA President, Robin Snead at robin.snead, 910-521-6469 (Please leave a message if I cannot answer when you call. Messages are forwarded to my email.)
Robin L. Snead, Ph.D.
English, Theatre, and World Languages
Brave Start College Opportunity Program
Secretary, UNC Faculty Assembly
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
D.F. Lowry 127 | 910.521.6469