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Rooted & Resilient brings campus and community together for meaningful conversations, culturally responsive education, professional learning, community resources, and experiential wellness. 

The conference centers the mental health experiences and perspectives of historically underserved and marginalized communities, including: 

• Students and People of Color  
• LGBTQIA+ individuals  
• First-generation college students  
• People with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals  
• Veterans and military-connected individuals  
• Individuals navigating intersecting identities and systemic barriers to mental health support  

Attendees can participate in: 

• Morning Keynote Address – Dr. Keba Rogers  
• Educational Breakout Sessions  
• Panel Discussion – What I Wish I Knew: Voices, Identity & Mental Wellness  
• Community Mental Health Resource Fair  
• Student Poster Presentations & Art Display  
• Movement, Mindfulness & Experiential Wellness  
• Quiet and Wellness Spaces  
• Opportunities for Campus & Community Connection  
• Light Breakfast & Lunch  

Rooted & Resilient: Mental Wellness for Every Identity was created to educate, empower, and connect diverse communities around the realities of mental health and wellness. 

The conference centers lived experiences that are too often overlooked in traditional conversations about mental health, including those of people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, first-generation college students, people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, veterans, and other historically underserved communities. 

Through an intersectional lens, the conference explores how race, culture, sexuality, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, lived experience, and systemic factors can influence mental health, belonging, access to care, and overall well-being. 

Our mission is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and share culturally relevant strategies for mental health and healing across diverse identities through meaningful dialogue, culturally responsive education, actionable resources, and community connection. 

Rooted & Resilient is guided by four central goals: 

Advocacy – Empower participants to advocate for mental health, inclusion, and equitable access to support. 

Action – Provide tangible strategies participants can use to support their own wellness and the well-being of their communities. 

Celebration – Celebrate identity, culture, lived experience, connection, and resilience. 

Education – Deliver culturally responsive and trauma-informed education that promotes self-care and community well-being. 

Together, these goals support increased understanding of cultural and systemic barriers to mental health care, while equipping attendees with tools for advocacy, self-care, navigating resources, and supporting others. 

Advocacy • Action • Celebration • Education 

When and where is the conference?  

Rooted & Resilient: Mental Wellness for Every Identity will be held Monday, November 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM–4:30 PM at SUNY Fredonia's Williams Center, with the Multipurpose Room (MPR) serving as the primary conference location and additional breakout spaces throughout the Williams Center. Registration and check-in begin at 8:00 AM.  

What should I expect when I arrive? 

 Attendees should begin at the conference registration/check-in area in the Williams Center MPR. Registration opens at 8:00 AM, with a light breakfast and an opportunity to explore conference resources before the opening program begins at 9:00 AM. 

What is included in the conference?  

The conference includes opening remarks, a morning keynote, educational breakout sessions, a panel discussion, lunch and community connection, a Resource Fair, student poster presentations, an art display, movement and experiential wellness opportunities, and a closing ceremony.  

Will food be provided? 

 Yes. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Attendees will have an opportunity during lunch to visit the Resource Fair, connect with community partners, explore wellness spaces, and view the Student Poster Presentations and Art Display.  

What if I have dietary restrictions?  

Attendees should identify dietary restrictions when completing conference registration. The planning team will make reasonable efforts to communicate dietary needs to conference food-service partners.  

Is the conference accessible to individuals with disabilities? 

Yes. SUNY Fredonia is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and facilities for individuals with disabilities.  SUNY Fredonia Attendees who require a reasonable accommodation or other accessibility support for the conference should indicate their needs during registration or contact the conference team at MentalHealthConf@fredonia.edu as early as possible so arrangements can be explored.  

Will there be quiet or low-stimulation spaces?  

Yes. The conference will include designated wellness/quiet spaces for attendees who may benefit from stepping away from conference programming. Additional information and locations will be included in the conference program and available at registration. 

 Do I have to participate in the experiential wellness activities?  

No. The Movement, Mindfulness & Experiential Wellness portion of the conference is designed to provide attendees with choices. Participants may select an experience that best meets their individual interests, comfort level, and wellness needs.  

How do I choose my breakout sessions?  

The conference will offer concurrent educational sessions during Breakout Session I and Breakout Session II. Attendees may select the presentation they would like to attend. Please build in time to transition between the MPR and breakout rooms.  

Will continuing education credit be available?  

Applicable continuing education opportunities may be available for designated conference sessions. Participants seeking credit should follow all conference attendance and evaluation requirements. Specific eligibility and credit information will be communicated through conference materials and at registration. 

 Is financial hardship assistance available?  

Yes. The conference is committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. Limited financial hardship assistance is available for individuals for whom the registration fee may create a barrier to attendance. Assistance is based on available resources and is not guaranteed.  

Financial Hardship Assistance Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TzbWDW5ckz?origin=lprLink 

 The form may ask for the applicant's name, email, organization/institution, participant type, amount of assistance requested, and a brief statement describing how assistance would support their ability to attend. Detailed personal financial documentation is not required. 

Can I volunteer at the conference?  

Yes. We welcome individuals interested in supporting the conference through volunteer service. Volunteer opportunities may include registration, attendee assistance, room support, Resource Fair assistance, directional support, and other conference-day needs. For volunteer opportunities, please contact: Sonia Ortiz, MSW Sonia.Ortiz@fredonia.edu 

Where can visitors park?  

Conference parking will be available in the Dods Parking Lot (Lot 10), located near the Williams Center. The lot will be reserved for conference attendees, and a conference volunteer will be available during morning arrival to assist with parking and directions.  

Attendees may also use SUNY Fredonia’s Park & Ride shuttle service, which operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM–6:30 PM. Attendees may park in a designated parking lot along Ring Road, proceed to the nearest bus shelter, and press the call button to request shuttle pickup. The shuttle provides transportation to the Williams Center, the main conference location. 

SUNY Fredonia Park & Ride Information: https://www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/university-services/park-and-ride 

We encourage attendees to allow additional time for parking, transportation, conference check-in, and breakfast before the opening program begins at 9:00 AM. 

Where can I find a campus map?  

Conference attendees unfamiliar with SUNY Fredonia are encouraged to review the university's campus information before arrival. The Williams Center will serve as the main conference location. Directional signage will also be available on conference day.  

Will Wi-Fi be available? 

Guest Wi-Fi access is available for conference attendees.  Instructions for accessing the network Wi-Fi will be provided at registration if needed. 

What should I do if I need assistance during the conference?  

Please visit the conference registration/information table in the Williams Center MPR. Conference staff and volunteers will be available to assist with directions, programming questions, accessibility needs, and general conference information.  

Who should I contact with conference questions?  

Questions regarding registration, programming, accessibility, presenters, or general conference information should be directed to: Rooted & Resilient Conference Planning Team MentalHealthConf@fredonia.edu  

We Want You to Feel Welcome 

Rooted & Resilient is designed to create an environment where participants can learn, connect, reflect, and engage at a level that supports their individual needs. Attendees are encouraged to use the wellness spaces, take breaks when needed, participate in experiential activities at their comfort level, and seek assistance from conference staff throughout the day. 

 Advocacy • Action • Celebration • Education 

Conference contact information: MentalHealthConf@fredonia.edu

Volunteer inquiries directed to: Sonia Ortiz, MSW, at Sonia.Ortiz@fredonia.edu