NAACS PNW Foco Fall 2026 Conference
Join us in Ellensburg on November 6-7
The NACCS PNW Foco Fall conference will be hosted at Central Washington University on November 6-7, 2026. See below for information about the conference, including call for proposals, registration, and contact info.
Conference theme
The conference theme is Metamórfosis: The Past, Present, and Future of Chicana/o/x Studies in the Pacific Northwest.
Metamórfosis calls us back to the evolving story of Chicana/o/x‑Latina/o/x life in the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by the 1977 Seattle publication Metamórfosis: Northwest Chicano Magazine of Literature, Art, and Culture, this year’s NACCS PNW Foco Conference invites scholars, artists, educators, students, organizers, and community members to explore how our histories, identities, and cultural production continue to transform across land, migration, community, and struggle.
Call for proposals
The call for proposals has now closed. Thank you for the many submissions!
Registration
Registration is free and open to the public. You can register for one or both days.
Plan your visit
Location - All sessions and activities will be held at Samuelson Hall at Central Washington University. Conference check-in will be located at the east entrance of the building.
Meals - Dinner on Friday, November 6, is not included. There will be a no-host dinner gathering at The Ridge located at 404 N Pine St., Ellensburg, Washington. On Saturday, November 7, your registration includes light refreshments in the morning and lunch.
Parking - Parking will be free on campus starting at 4:30 pm on Friday and over the weekend. The nearest parking lots are Lot E-14, Lot H-15, and Lot G-15 (see image below). Buses bringing people to the conference should follow dropoff and parking instructions in this map.
Program
Below is a tentative program schedule. Watch for more information as we finalize the conference agenda.
Sponsors
We thank our conference sponsors, including:
- CWU Career Services
- CWU Department of History
- CWU Department of Political Science
- CWU Department of World Languages and Cultures
- CWU Division of Student Engagement and Success
- CWU Latino and Latin American Studies Program
- CWU Office of Admissions
- CWU Vice President of Student Affairs
- Heritage University
- MEChA de CWU
- Nuestros Raíces & Latinos Unidos eN Acción (L.U.N.A.A)
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek
- The Red Pickle
- The Ridge
- Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
- UW American Ethnic Studies
- WSU Department of History
- WSU Multicultural Services
- Yakima Valley College Strategic Initiatives for Equity
Contact us
For more information, please contact Dr. Josué Estrada (Josue.Estrada@cwu.edu) and Dr. John Ribó (John.Ribo@cwu.edu).
CWU News
Arts and Humanities Month continues to build momentum
October 21, 2026 by David Leder
New position at CWU-Des Moines aimed at improving student experiences
October 21, 2026 by David Leder