Dennis H. May Diversity Conference on Mental Health and Higher Education
Welcome to the Dennis H. May Mental Health Conference on Belonging and Higher Education!
Our next conference will be held on October 11-12, 2026, at the Illini Union in Champaign. Please consider submitting a proposal. We would love to have a variety of presentations from a diverse group of presenters! This year's conference theme is "Radical Reimagining: From Student Resilience to Institutional Responsibility." Be sure to check back soon for the announcement of this year's keynote speaker!
Our conference has a long history at the University of Illinois Counseling Center. Over the past several decades, the conference's focus has been educating those who directly work with college students about mental health and the college experience. The needs and demographics of college students are changing, and we need to evolve as well. As we continue to grow, we have expanded the conference to include all student affairs professionals. Some benefits of attending this conference include learning about emerging issues impacting today's college students, connecting with other professionals in the field, and engaging in robust training on belonging and inclusion.
We welcome presenters and attendees from counseling centers, student affairs, and community teachers and administrators interested in preparing their students for college.
Dates: Sunday, October 11, 2026, 3-7 p.m. and Monday, October 12, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Illini Union, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL
Contact:
Emily Barnum, elbarnum@illinois.edu
Kamau Grantham, grantham@illinois.edu
217-333-3704
Conference Details
Presenting and Attending
Our next conference will be held on October 11-12, 2026, at the Illini Union in Champaign. Please consider submitting a proposal. We would love to have a variety of presentations from a diverse group of presenters! This year's conference theme is "Radical Reimagining: From Student Resilience to Institutional Responsibility." Be sure to check back soon for the announcement of this year's keynote speaker!
Suggested areas for proposals include, but are not limited to:
- Culturally responsive mental health practices and programs in higher education/communities.
- Strategies for rest & resistance among historically marginalized communities.
- Fostering & redefining collective care, belonging, and community healing.
- Navigating mental health within the context of systemic inequities and social justice.
- Innovative approaches to boundary-setting, balance, and mental well-being in academic and professional spaces.
- Moving from research and lived experience to action: case studies and models for institutional change.
When submitting a proposal, please note that we are looking for a brief content overview of the topic you’ll be exploring, followed by action-oriented steps to promote change. If your proposal is accepted, the presentation title, presenter information, and abstract you provide will be included in the conference program—please be sure the information you submit is accurate. More than one proposal may be submitted; however, multiple acceptances will be reviewed with consideration for conference schedule limitations. Proposals are due by midnight Central Time on July 11, 2025.
You will receive notification of acceptance by the end of July 2026. To allow as many people as possible to participate, we may ask you to consider collaborating with others if similar proposals are submitted.
CEUs
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Up to seven Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered at the conference for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC), and Psychologists. If you are interested in earning CEUs, please designate this when you register.
Lodging
Illini Union Hotel
1401 W. Green Street (same building as conference venue)
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1241
One king bed is $129; two full beds are $134; two full beds with Quad view is $159.
Booking Code: UICOUNS26 (be sure to enter on website or mention on phone for special discounted rate.)
I-Hotel and Conference Center
1900 S. First Street (Shuttle service will be provided to and from the conference.)
Champaign, Illinois 61820
217-819-5000
The rate is $179 a night.
Block Code: DENNISMAY1026 (be sure to enter on the website or mention on the phone for the discounted rate).
Guest Password: 9n$KD
Townplace Suites by Marriott
603 S. Sixth Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
217-344-1600
(Two blocks from conference venue.)
Travel Information
Champaign is located near two major interstates—I-74 and I-57. We are approximately 150 miles south of Chicago, 100 miles west of Indianapolis, and 175 miles northeast of Saint Louis.
If you need to park on campus, the University’s Parking Department offers several options.
Willard Airport (Airport Code: CMI) is approximately 5 miles from campus and is easily accessible by cab and bus. Currently, direct flights into Willard are from Dallas/Fort Worth and O'Hare Airports.
AMTRAK offers service between downtown Chicago and Champaign.
Peoria Charter offers bus transportation from both Chicago airports to campus (the ISR stop is just a block from the campus venue.
