Conference Program
Arrival and Registration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
SDSU Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Start your RE:BORDER experience by mingling with fellow attendees prior to the conference. Check-in begins at 8 AM in the Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union on the SDSU campus. Doors open in Montezuma Hall, which hosts the Opening Ceremony and Keynote speaker, at 8:30 AM.
Opening Ceremony
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Montezuma Hall: Aztec Student Union
Join us for the official launch of the RE:BORDER Conference 2026. Hear from top university leaders and government officials, including California Assembly Members David Alvarez and Juan Carrillo, and Mexico Consul General to San Diego Alicia Kerber Palma.
Cátedra México Opening Keynote
9:30 AM -10:15 AM
Montezuma Hall: Aztec Student Union
RE:BORDER’s opening keynote features Dr. Natalia Saltalamacchia Ziccardi, head of the Department of International Relations at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City. An expert on Mexico’s foreign policy, Dr. Saltalamacchia is the inaugural guest lecturer for the Cátedra México initiative, spearheaded by the Mexican Consulate in San Diego and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This lecture series brings prominent Mexican scholars and leaders to Southern California to promote greater understanding and strengthen binational ties. Dr. Saltalamacchia’s keynote will examine the U.S.-Mexico relationship from a Mexican perspective, fostering a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most consequential binational partnerships.
Break: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Plan Your Day at RE:BORDER
Click the button below to access the RE:BORDER Schedule. This mobile-friendly feature enables you to search content, identify and bookmark sessions of interest, discover panelists, poster and Think Tank presenters and more. Plan your day using the My Agenda tab. Check this website periodically for updated information.
Panel Sessions
Discover the diversity of ideas, research, and collaborations driving innovation across the Cali-Baja region through RE:BORDER’s concurrent panel sessions. Organized into three time blocks, these sessions feature engaging conversations led by researchers, educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and community partners from both sides of the border. The sessions explore topics aligned with the conference’s themes: Education & Workforce Development, Health & Well-Being, Environment & Energy, Innovation & Economic Development, Public Policy & Governance, and Migration & Multicultural Communities.
Lunch, Networking, and Art
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
North Library Walkway
An outdoor buffet lunch will be provided to registered guests in the North Library Walkway in the heart of the SDSU campus. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees from across the Cali-Baja region. The Latinx Resource Center opens its doors inside the Love Library for a mural and photo exhibit during lunch, highlighting the cultural richness of the region.
Posters
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Montezuma Hall: Aztec Student Union
RE:BORDER Poster Presentations showcase innovative research, creative projects, and emerging ideas that address the opportunities and challenges of the Cali-Baja region. Featuring students, faculty, researchers, and community partners, this session provides a dynamic space to explore new perspectives, engage directly with presenters, and discover collaborations that advance binational innovation and resilience. Click the button below to link to the "Presentations" webpage, where you'll find a list of individual posters, as well as panel and Think Tank presenters. You can also find the "Presentations" link in the main menu bar.
Break: 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Think Tank Contest
3:40 PM - 5:10 PM
Montezuma Hall: Aztec Student Union
This "Shark-Tank"-style contest features six teams making five-minute quick pitch presentations for seed grants to fund binational research and initiatives in Cali-Baja. Each presentation is followed by moderated discussion and feedback from a panel of judges. The goal is to foster binational collaborations that can endure and expand. Following the six pitches, last year's winners will update their projects.
Conference Closing: 5:10 PM
Language & Translation
The RE:BORDER Conference is a binational event conducted in both English and Spanish.
Opening Ceremony and Keynote
In-person translation will be provided in English and Spanish.
Panel Sessions
AI-powered translation software will be available in each panel session room.
Scan the QR code displayed in the room using your personal mobile device.
No app or download is required.
Translation will be available in both audio and text.
What to Bring
Please bring personal headphones or earbuds to access audio translation.