6 November 2018
Devon Williams
The Student Leadership Conference returns to campus on Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The event is fully student driven and will focus on three aspects of leadership: experiential leadership, inspirational leadership and the mindset of leadership.
Luke Arsenault is a sophomore studying biochemistry and the co-chair of the planning committee.
“We have both students of UCCS and the Air Force Academy, faculty and community members speaking during the event. With those groups they’ll be speaking about experiential leadership, inspirational leadership, and leading with a leadership mindset,” said Arsenault. “Ethan Zohn who won Survivor Africa, is a pro soccer player and beat cancer twice. He will be our staple speaker, talking about his experiences and how they apply to college. He will also talk to students about how to be resilient and positive.”
The event will be held in Berger Hall and is open to everyone on campus as well as the Colorado Springs community. In addition to the event being free, there will be lunch provided for participants. Attendees will also get free shirts and neck chains with their names on them. Arsenault said that at the end of the day a drawing will be hosted for seven technology items.
This is Arsenault’s first year attending the conference.
“I’m excited because I didn’t know we had this until I was told by a faculty friend about this. We work with all types of people that come together and make it happen,” said Arsenault. “Our main slogan is opportunity awaits, and we’re trying to cultivate more united groups of students. We want everyone to understand that there are big opportunities, and the best way to reach them is to start now and use the university as a stepping stone.”
Jon Bogh is a coordinator for Civic Engagement at UCCS. He says that the event is completely planned and run by students.
“I get to sit back and watch the students plan it out all the way through the execution of the product,” said Bogh. “We are hoping for 150 participants.”
Madison Harris is a sophomore studying biomedical science and history. She attended the student Leadership Conference last year and is planning for it this year.
“It’s a mix of community faculty and students attending and speaking. I thought it was interesting to listen to my peers speak at the conference,” said Harris. “Last year there was a speaker from Colorado College who gave a presentation on philosophical leadership.”
Alex Adams is also a sophomore studying sports management and finance. He was a speaker at Student Leadership last year.
“Being able to present at the conference was a unique experience,” said Adams. “I got to do it with my mentor in Chancellor Leadership. I put 18-20 hours in my presentation. My main focus was inspiring a vision.”
“It’s one of the things that makes UCCS unique,” said Adams. “I have a sibling who studies at Mines, and they don’t have anything like this. I’ve attended a leadership conference at the Air Force, and a lot of conferences often miss peer insight. The fact that students can learn from their peers is not stressed enough in conferences.”