Current News

2026 CIRPA Conference in Hamilton, Ontario – Call for Proposals

CIRPA-ACPRI is excited to invite you to submit a proposal to present at the CIRPA 2026 conference, taking place October 25-28, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada! Share your expertise and insights, while contributing to building an engaging and impactful conference program!

The Program Planning committee is also welcoming volunteers in various capacities to prepare for the conference.

You do not need to be a current CIRPA-ACPRI member to submit a proposal or participate as a volunteer. However, if your proposal is accepted, presenters and volunteers must hold a 2026 regular or student membership and register for the conference.

Proposals received by March 27, 2026 and accepted qualify for one $50 Early Presenter registration discount!

How to submit:

• Complete your proposal using the Call for Proposals template file.
• Email your Call for Proposal template file and/or Request to Volunteer to programchair2026@cirpa-acpri.ca by March 27, 2026.

For more details, visit CIRPA 2026 – Hamilton Conference and view the Call for Proposals template file.

We look forward to making CIRPA 2026 an unforgettable experience together!

2025 Conference recordings

The conference recordings from the 2025 virtual conference are currently available and can be accessed in our Member portal. 

While you’re in the Member portal, check out the stimulating conversations taking place within the discussion forum – open to both regular and limited members.

Happy Holidays!

On behalf of the CIRPA Board of Directors, we wish you a warm and happy holiday season filled with time to relax and enjoy with family and friends. We look forward to working together in 2026 as we continue to build the Canadian Institutional Research and Planning Association.

Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year!

Kind regards,

Miranda Pearson,
President, Board of Directors,
CIRPA-ACPRI

Do you have a CIRPA colleague whose unsung contributions have strengthened our organization? Nominate them for an Outstanding Service Award or the New & Emerging Professional Award! Each year CIRPA takes time to recognize an individual whose service as a volunteer, conference presenter, or brain behind the scenes has helped to make CIRPA what it is. Nominations are to be submitted online by September 4, 2025.

Outstanding Service Award

Exceptional service is broadly defined, and can include contributions made by individuals who have not held a formal position on the CIRPA Board as well as those who have. Normally, the contributions would have been made over a period of years. Exceptional service contributors have recurring involvement in the Association and have actively supported and facilitated the goals and mission of CIRPA in a number of ways.

For more information, including a list of past recipients and to submit a nomination, please click below (you may need to be logged into your CIRPA account for this to work).

New & Emerging Professionals Award

The New & Emerging Professionals Award recognizes leadership, growth, and outstanding potential of a professional working in a professional role in any area of institutional research and planning for 5 years or less (inclusive of all professional roles at all institutions the individual has been employed). This individual has demonstrated significant growth in their position and has made an impact and gone beyond their role on their campus. Ways in which their commitment to excellence and improving institutional research and planning should be demonstrated.

Thank you for participating in CIRPA’s Annual Board Election! 

We are excited to share that this year saw a record number of voters – your engagement helps strengthen our association and shape its future. Thank you!

I am pleased to introduce the newly elected members of the CIRPA Board, who will begin their terms following the Annual General Meeting in October 2025:

President (acclaimed)

• Miranda Pearson (University of Regina)

Vice President 

• Dorys Crespin-Mueller (Thompson Rivers University)

Members-at-Large

• Isabelle Cormier (Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission)
• Tracey MacDonald (Saint Mary’s University)
• Matthew Hack (Durham College)

Congratulations to our incoming Board members, and sincere thanks to everyone who put their name forward. We had an exceptional slate of candidates, and your willingness to serve is deeply appreciated.

A special thank you goes to our Nominating Committee for their dedication, collaboration, and behind-the-scenes work in facilitating this election. Thank you to Sonia Beattie (Dalhousie University), Neil Chakraborty (University of Toronto), Yuqin Gong (University of Prince Edward Island), and David Paul (Portage College)—we are grateful for your contributions!

Sincerely,

Stephanie McKeown
Nominating Committee Chair

I am pleased to inform you that the nomination period is now closed. The candidates have been nominated, and the CIRPA Board election is now open!

The current election is for the President, Vice-President, and three Member-at-Large roles. Each candidate brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, but they all share a common goal: to serve you, the members, with passion and diligence. Take the time to learn about each candidate, their experiences, and their vision for our association’s future by reading their bios.

Your participation is crucial, and every vote counts. Please vote on or before Friday, June 13, 2025.

Thank you to our members for your continued support and engagement!

Warm regards,
Stephanie McKeown, Chair of the Nominating Committee
Canadian Institutional Research and Planning Association

Nominating Committee Membership 2024-2025 :
Sonia Beattie – Dalhousie University
Neil Chakraborty – University of Toronto
Yuqin Gong – University of Prince Edward Island
David Paul – Portage College