UTSA students learn about leadership at national conference in Arizona

UTSA students at National Collegiate Leadership Conference at University of Arizona

By Vincent Perez
Graduate Assistant, Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion

(Feb. 17, 2014) -- The UTSA Student Leadership Center sent four undergraduate students -- Zack Dunn, Christian Ume-Ezeoke, Salma Mendez and Katrina Parkey -- and two advisers -- Ann-Margaret Gonzalez and Vincent Perez -- to the National Collegiate Leadership Conference (NCLC) Feb. 14-16 at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

More than 600 hundred students from across North America attended, and it was the first time UTSA was represented at the conference. The student-run event emphasizes the connection between leadership, social justice and service. There were service activities, workshops and guest speakers focused on how to break down leadership barriers and adopt leadership as a way of life.

Keynote speakers included Eric Fortenberry, the founder of OrgSync, and Ben Simon, founder and executive director of the Food Recovery Network. The students participated in a case study competition, developing a program to help support students in military families. The UTSA group placed second in the event.

The students are now tasked with bringing what they learned back to UTSA and discussing leadership programming with student organizations.

Salma Mendez, a sophomore studying international business and finance, said, "NCLC was an experience that exceeded my greatest expectations. It focused on areas of leadership development that strengthened my ability to lead, such as sustainability, time management, teamwork and international lifestyle design."

Katrina Parkey, a junior history major, said, "My time at the NCLC pushed me to not only become a better leader, but a better person as well. Participating in the case study competition helped me further develop my teamwork skills and presentation style. I created friendships with fellow UTSA students and students from throughout North America."

For information on this and other leadership development opportunities, contact the UTSA Student Leadership Center at 210-458-7967 or visit the center in its temporary location in the Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion, University Center Room 2.01.04, Main Campus.

Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

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