College students from across the state filled Kennesaw State University’s Prillaman Hall for the metro-Atlanta Collegiate Leadership Summit hosted by the Center for Student Leadership Saturday, March 5.
The energy in the room was exciting, filled with students eager to learn and engage in activity. The conference kicked off with icebreakers where the students interacted with each other competing in rock-paper-scissors, coin flips and thumb wrestling.
The theme of the conference is “Going Beyond All Limits,” and is a mantra that has been woven throughout the Center for Student Leadership this year.
“It’s just a conversation that’s been on going about how to change people’s mindsets from leadership as a position to leadership as moments, especially moments that matter,” said Lauren Lallande, marketing and communications coordinator of the center.
The goal of the conference was to challenge and encourage attendees on their current mind-frame about leadership. The conference was made up of students, faculty, staff and community members of KSU, Brenau University, Chattahoochee Technical College and Dalton State College. Students held leadership positions in activities ranging from club sports to residence life, from international student associations to the marching band.
“It’s just a very diverse group, whether it’s students, faculty or staff members or outside community members all throughout the day,” Lallande said.
The center emphasized that anyone can become a leader. According to its teachings, quality leadership happens within a moment and is described as more situational than positional.
“Just because you have a title, doesn’t mean you’re a leader,” said Dr. K.C. White, vice president of student affairs. “I’m happy that everyone doesn’t have a title. More things happen in informal roles.”
In addition to the faculty and staff of KSU, students also served as hosts. The group of students who hosted is known as Owl Leadership Fellows, and they are a part of an advanced leadership program within the center.
The conference was broken down into addresses by keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a student leadership panel. Dr. Michael Sanseviro, dean of student affairs, moderated the student panel with a diverse group of students from different organizations.
Staff, faculty and community members from the metro-Atlanta area hosted the breakout sessions, which covered a variety of topics including resume boot camp, how values influence leaders and the role of leaders in a diverse world.
Keynote speakers, each with an extensive background in leadership, included Chris Bruno, Amanda Long, Fitz Johnson and Dr. Ken Harmon, provost and vice president for academic affairs at KSU.
In Harmon’s address, he spoke about the understanding of happiness. He identified the five keys to happiness: a strong social network, understanding of workplace, the role of money, the need to stop fooling oneself and learning to say ‘thank you.’
“It’s not about what you do; it’s about who you are,” Harmon said. “Happiness starts with you.”
Harmon’s address resonated with students, faculty and staff in attendance.
“Dr. Harmon’s discussion of happiness and practical tips for implementation was really impactful,” said Kathleen Reynolds, a freshman majoring in business. “I look forward to applying some of these tips to develop further as a person and as a leader.”
Other students were glad to see someone in a position of authority emphasize happiness.
The Metro-Atlanta Collegiate Leadership Summit was the Center for Student Leadership’s first major conference, and the organization plans to establish it as an annual event.
