Student-led conference invites esteemed speakers to share insights on complex issues 

Elsah, IL — Principia College will host its upcoming 2026 Public Affairs Conference (PAC) April 2–3, continuing a long-standing tradition as the oldest student-led conference in the United States. Since its founding in 1939, PAC has provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on pressing global issues, fully organized and executed by students. 

PAC 2026 will bring together thought leaders, students, and community members for a dynamic exchange of ideas on immigration. The conference aims to foster critical thinking, civil discourse, and greater understanding across diverse perspectives. 

“As a Mexican, part of one of the largest immigrant communities in the United States, I felt a responsibility to help educate others on issues affecting my community” said college senior Saray Cisneros, a student organizer for PAC 2026. “Being a global citizen involves empathy, education, and raising awareness about the impact we have on one another. That’s why I chose to direct PAC.” 

“I am a part of PAC because I want to help create conversations that are meaningful, informed, respectful and grounded in real experiences of humans,” added Ronnie Ochieng, a sophomore and member of the PAC 2026 leadership team. “Being able to bring attention to events occurring around us and helping create spaces for different perspectives to learn from each other and be acknowledged.” 

The conference will feature a range of speakers and interactive sessions designed to challenge assumptions and inspire action. Past PAC events have hosted globally recognized figures and addressed engaging topics spanning politics, media, technology, and social change. Speakers this year include: 

• Keynote Speaker, Francisco Cantú – Former U.S. Border Patrol agent and author of The Line Becomes a River 

• Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza – Professor of Sociology at UC Merced and author of Deported: Immigrant Policing, Disposable Labor, and Global Capitalism and Race and Racisms: A Critical Approach 

• Dr. Laurie Vászquez Scolari – Higher-education speaker, leader, and equity strategist. Former Dean and Associate Dean of Counseling and Student Support at City College of San Francisco. 

• Lauren Blodgett – Immigration attorney and founder of The Brave House in New York City. 

• Closing Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lola Adeyemo – Scholar and expert on immigrant identity and belonging 

“PAC provides hands-on experience in leadership and civic engagement,” said Principia College President Dr. Meggan Madden. “The conference reinforces the College’s commitment to developing informed and active global citizens.” 

PAC 2026 will take place at Principia College’s campus in Elsah, Illinois. This event is open to students, professors, community members, and other educational institutions. Additional details, including speaker announcements and registration information is available on the event’s official website: principiacollege.edu/PAC.