UTSA students attend 2015 Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference
Share this Story(Feb. 16, 2015) -- Twenty-eight UTSA students with the Student Leadership Center recently returned from attending the 2015 Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference at Texas A&M University in College Station. The theme of the 27th annual conference, which drew more than 500 participants, was “Revamping Your Blueprint.”
The conference included keynote addresses, workshop sessions, town hall meetings, a poetry slam competition and networking opportunities. Hill Harper, an award-winning film, television and stage actor, best-selling author and philanthropist, served as the keynote speaker for the conference’s closing banquet.
"I have been to many conferences throughout my college career, but this was the first geared specifically to African-American student leaders," said La'Tia Blue, senior business management major. "It was important for me to have this experience before graduating from UTSA, and I'm glad that I was able to attend the conference. Hill Harper provided me with a different outlook on life."
Last year, UTSA student Courtney Hunter attended the conference. This year, she was the first UTSA student to serve as a featured presenter during the conference’s breakout sessions. Her presentation, titled "To Lead, You Must Serve," identified the meaning of service and leadership. She has been invited to serve as a conference presenter next year.
"Going on this trip for the first time meant so much to me,” said Michael Thomas, senior multidisciplinary studies major. "I learned the fundamentals of being a good leader. I feel more well-rounded, motivated and accomplished after attending this phenomenal conference."
The UTSA Student Leadership Center invited prominent student leaders on the trip so that they could bring their experiences back to UTSA to better serve in their community. To reflect on their personal experiences during the conference, the students received a journal at the beginning of the four-day trip. The journals and their entries will be passed on to students attending next year’s conference.
"Attending the conference was life-changing," said TaShavia Beverly-Prince, junior public relations and communications major. "I walked into this experience pretty confident in the direction my life was going to go, but the skills and tips that I learned from the sessions and speakers at the conference better equipped me to get there and make my dreams a reality. I was truly blessed to attend the conference."
Among the 28 students who attended this year, Celeste Brown and Lilian-Ann Bonaparte were invited to attend the conference’s Charles E. Williams II Advanced Leadership Institute for exemplary student leaders, which took place during the annual conference.
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For more information about the UTSA Student Leadership Center’s programs and events, visit www.utsa.edu/slc.
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Events
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 CampusAt 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 CampusRoadrunner 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 CampusCelebrate 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.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.
