UTSA represented at Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference

UTSA students ready for the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference

By Jana Schwartz
Program Coordinator, Student Leadership Center

(Feb. 5, 2013) -- The UTSA Student Leadership Center sponsored 28 UTSA students at the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference Jan. 17-20 at Texas A&M University in College Station. Included in the group were four SBSLC alumni, who were accepted in the SBSLC Advanced Leadership Institute.

This year's participants included Nicci Campbell, Porcsha Presley, Willyam "BJ" Winston and Malcolm Ramey. With more than 550 attending, the theme of the 25th annual conference was "Embrace the Unknown." The conference featured workshops, a career and vendor fair, the Advanced Leadership Institute, a poetry slam, town hall meetings, an oratorical contest, social gatherings, an entertainment night and a closing banquet.

UTSA students Miracle Cooke and Rosalyn Huff prepared and delivered a speech as part of a competition. The speech was on the underrepresentation of black people and the role of black identity in the culture of corporate America. Cooke was awarded runner-up and received a trophy and gift card. The Student Leadership Center selected students for the conference from across campus. Each student was asked to keep a journal during the event in order to reflect on his or her personal experience. The journals will be passed on to future conference participants.

"This conference really made me want to go out and do more around the campus, plus I was able to talk to people that I never had the chance to speak to before," said Christina Adebowale. "The networking opportunities and sessions all made for a very positive experience."

"I have already begun to tell other students around campus to apply for this conference next year," Brittany Sims said. "It was a great leadership opportunity, and although you will receive only as much as you put in, if you are going for the right reasons, then you will experience so much personal and leadership growth."

"After attending SBSLC, I have a better definition of the leader I want to be and the skills I need to get there," said Nikke Ijoma. "I also feel that I have more school spirit and feel more connected to UTSA."

"I would definitely recommend this conference to other students," said Ashley La Fleur. "Not only was I able to network with professionals and schools from all over the nation, but I was given a chance to attend sessions really specific to my needs. I think that was great because not many conferences have such a personal aspect."

For more information, visit the UTSA Student Leadership Center website or go to University Center Room 1.002 on the Main Campus.