Registration

The conference registration fees for the 2026 Conference are:

Professional AARC Member Rates: $225.00
Professional Non-Member Rate: $325.00
Student AARC Member Rate: $99.00
Student Non-Member Rate: $175

To register for the 2026 AARC Conference, please use this this: https://2026associationforassessmen.sched.com/

Registration and Cancellation Policies

Conference Registration Policy: All presenters must register for the AARC conference by July 15, 2026. If the first/sole presenter does not register by this date, the presentation may be canceled. Any co-presenters (if applicable) who do not register by the deadline may be removed from the presentation in the program.

Cancellation Policy: A cancellation request must be made via email to Leigh Holman, AARC Conference Committee Co-Chair, at laf006@SHSU.EDU. Cancellation requests must be made on or before August 1, 2026, to receive a registration fee refund. Requests made prior to the deadline will be refunded the full amount minus any cancellation fees assessed by Stripe (fees vary based on student or professional categories). No refunds will be processed between August 1 and September 20, 2026. Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.

Keynote Speaker

Octavio

Keynote Speaker: Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., F.A.P.A., Executive Director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at UT Austin.

Dr. Marinez is highly involved in multiple initiatives at the University of Texas including Dell Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences leading the Community Integrated Health Initiatives program for the university; involvement with the Rappoport Center for Human Rights & Justice at the UT School of Law; and serving as clinical faculty at the UT School of Social Work.

His service further extends across the state, nation, and internationally. Dr Martinez serves on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a member of the ADC’s Health Equity Workgroup; previously serving on the Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force for the White House and on the National Advisory Committee for Rural Health and Human Services for HHS.

He is a current member and former chair of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, a commissioner for the Judicial Commission on Mental Health, and an executive committee member for the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium.

Keynote Moderator

Keynote Moderator: Patsy Cunningham, LCPC, Director of Legislative Engagement and Strategy at the American Counseling Association and former Behavioral Health Advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Ms. Cunningham is the Director of Legislative Engagement and Strategy at the American Counseling Association. In this role, she works closely with federal and state policymakers, regulatory leaders, and key stakeholders to advance policies that support the American Counseling Association’s Legislative Agenda. Patsy has over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field providing both clinical care and working in public policy.

She previously served as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Advisor where she provided advice and guidance to HRSA Senior Leadership on policy development and coordination for behavioral health issues that impact HHS and HRSA. She also served as a Supervisory Public Health Analyst for the Behavioral and Public Health Branch in HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW). In BHW, she was responsible for developing behavioral and public health policies and programs that improve the health outcomes of underserved populations by increasing access to quality care, balancing the supply of providers and improving distribution of providers in areas with the highest need. Prior to joining HRSA, Patsy worked at Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore, Baltimore’s Local Behavioral Health Authority where she was a Provider and Consumer Coordinator and then promoted to the Manager of the Compliance Unit.

Patsy holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Her clinical experience includes serving minors with a history of trauma, out-of-home placements and involvement in the Child Welfare System. She also has extensive experience serving adults who were experiencing homelessness, had a dual diagnosis and were involved with the criminal legal system.

Conference Hotel - Marriott Legacy Town Center Plano/Dallas, TX

The AARC group rate at the Marriott Legacy Town Center Plano/Dallas, TX is $175 USD per night.

Click here to book your room

If you have trouble registering, please contact the hotel directly and tell them you are with the AARC conference to book your room. Please report any difficulties in booking rooms to Couneducation@SHSU.EDU.

Parking
$20/day self-park $30 Valet with in and out privileges
Friday and Saturday nights complimentary self-parking