The 12th annual Family Matters Conference is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, at the R. Haze Hunter Conference Center in Cedar City. Organized by the College of Education & Human Development, the free event is open to students, community members, educators, and therapists interested in addressing modern family challenges.
The theme for the 2026 conference is Growing Stronger Together: Building Resilience, Presence, and Foundations for Well-Being. The program aims to empower individuals and couples to strengthen relationships while providing professional development for those working with families and preparing students for real-world solutions.
The schedule includes several keynote and guest presentations. Dave Schramm, Ph.D., CFLE, will deliver a keynote titled The Climb that Counts: 8 Principles for Seeing What Matters Most. Kathy Ruiz, LCSW, CCAT, is scheduled to speak on incorporating yoga philosophy into a therapeutic lens, while Taten Albright, Ph.D., will present on being present when a family member experiences trauma.
Additional sessions and activities are planned throughout the day. Breakout sessions include a presentation by Carolynn Nauta, M.S., IMH-E®, regarding CDC milestones and early intervention. The event will also feature a BSW Practicum Fair and an MSW/MFT Program Information Meeting.
Poster presentations are scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Charles Hunter, Yankee Meadows, and Vermillion Cliffs Conference Rooms. The conference will be held at the R. Haze Hunter Conference Center, located at 301-557 W University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720, with specific sessions held in the Great Hall, Whiting Conference Room, and Shooting Star Conference Room.
The Family Matters Conference is an annual event hosted by Southern Utah University's College of Education & Human Development. It is designed to serve a wide audience, including current students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents of SUU students, and the general community.
