PSA 2026 Featured Speakers

Sharon Elise, Ph. D.

PSA 2026 Presidential Plenary Speaker

           Sharon Elise left a position in Women’s Studies at Fresno State to join the faculty of CSU San Marcos as Assistant Professor of Sociology in Spring 1994. Her teaching and research center on critical race studies, Black Studies, Black feminism, Intersectionality, women of color and sociopoetics. She has been active in the university and her discipline, and has held leadership positions in her department, college, academic senate, faculty union, and professional organizations. Learn more about Dr. Elise, including the full scope of her education, honors, awards, writings, poetry, scholarly achievements and her Curriculum Vitae on her CSUSM Faculty Page.

Theresa Gregor, Ph. D.

PSA 2026 Presidential Plenary Speaker

          Theresa Gregor (Kumeyaay & Yoéme) is Associate Professor and Director of American Indian Studies at CSU Long Beach (Cal State Puvungna) located on unceded Tongva land. Her research and community work center California Indian women, rematriation, sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and place-based resilience through practices such as cultural burning. She is active in Tribal governance and advocacy as a policy consultant, nonprofit liaison, and founder of Mataguay Consulting Services LLC. Her current projects include the Collaboration of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and the Mellon Foundation’s Expanding and Affirming Ethnic Studies in the CSU.​

Jared D. Aldern, Ph. D.

PSA 2026 Presidential Plenary Speaker

          Jared D. Aldern is a fire practitioner and independent scholar. A descendant of Norwegian and German immigrants to the United States, he grew up in South Dakota, has lived in Upstate New York and San Diego County, California, and now resides in Central California. Retired from educational and Tribal government staff careers, he conducts historical research, writes grants and helps develop programs for Tribes, and works with many partners to burn and restore land.