The 2026 Women in Educational Leadership Symposium (WIELS) will return to the App State Boone Campus on October 1-3, 2026. The 2026 WIELS theme, The Power of We: Women Shaping a Lasting Legacy in Education, celebrates connection, mentorship, and collective leadership as women unite to advance equity, grow together, and strengthen their impact.

WIELS is a partnership between faculty members in the Leadership and Educational Studies at Appalachian State University and practicing educators. Our mandate is the development of an 'armoring process' that will equip women with pragmatic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that prepare them for success as educational leaders.

Accommodations

Traveling in for the conference? A limited number of rooms have been reserved for attendees. Be sure to use the code WIELS Conference when booking to receive the group rate.

Graystone Lodge(link is external)

Address: 2419 NC Hwy 105 S., Boone, North Carolina

Thurs. 10/01/26: $109 plus tax per room

Fri. 10/02/26 & Sat. 10/03/26: $219 plus tax per room per night

Courtyard by Marriott Boone(link is external)

Address: 1050 NC Hwy 105, Boone, North Carolina

$209 plus tax per room per night 

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, October 1 - 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Friday, October 2 - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, October 3 - 8:00 am - 11:30 am

Registration Rates

• Early-Bird General registrant, if registered by August 15: $300
• General Registrant after August 15: $350

Special Rates

• Early Bird App State Faculty and Staff, if registered by August 15: $200
• App State Faculty and Staff after August 15: $250
• K-12 Educators: $150
• Early Bird University students, if registered by August 15: $50
• University students after August 15: $100
• WIELS Presenters: $100

Post-conference excursions require additional fees of $75.

Cancellation Policy:  You may cancel your registration until September 15th and receive a full refund, less than a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be given after September 15. Substitutions are accepted at any time.

Conference Registration Instructions

Please begin by creating an account in the registration system.

If you are a returning attendee, you may be prompted to enter a code to access the correct registration form. When requested, please use the code 26WIELS.

If you experience any issues during registration, please contact Carey Driskell at driskellc@appstate.edu(link sends e-mail) or (828) 262-2942 for assistance.