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Schedule

2023 Conference Schedule

2023 Conference Schedule
Time Activity/Event Location
8-9 a.m. Onboarding: Registration/Check-In & Breakfast Bayou Building, Atrium I
9-9:15 a.m. Final Boarding Call: Opening/Welcome Bayou Building, Atrium II
9:15-10:15 a.m. Captain's Announcement: Opening Keynote Bayou Building, Atrium II
10:30-11:20 a.m. Take-Off: Session Block 1 Various
11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Soaring: Session Block 2 Various
12:20-1:50 p.m. Cruising: Lunch Bayou Building, Atrium II
12:20-1:00 p.m. Cruising: Resume Review Bayou Building, Atrium II
1:00-1:50 p.m. Descending: Lunch & Learn: Employer Panel Bayou Building, Atrium II
2:00-2:50 p.m. Final Approach: Session Block 3 Various
3:00-3:50 p.m. Landing & Final Words: Closing Keynote Bayou Building, Atrium II
3:50-4:30 p.m. Destination: Check-Out Bayou Building, Atrium I
4:30-5:00 p.m. OPTIONAL: Campus Tour Various

Register today to secure your seat.


Conference Session Tracks

We are excited that you have chosen to join us as we journey to transcend beyond leadership on Expedition Excellence. At this year's Annual Student Leadership and Career Development Conference, you will be equipped with skills to change the game through the conference sessions you choose to attend. At the end of the conference, you will receive a certificate acknowledging your expedition to transcend leadership.

Leadership Track

Students attend at least four sessions (2 required leadership track, 2 optional elective sessions).

Career Development Track

Students attend at least four sessions (2 required career development track, 2 optional elective sessions).

Pick your Path Track

Students attend at least four sessions of their choosing.

You choose your path as we transcend leadership and embark on Expedition Excellence.


Lunch & Learn Employer Panel

For this year's conference, we will take our Employer Panel to new heights.  At this Lunch & Learn style panel during the lunch portion of the conference, students will hear from employers from around the Houston area about what exactly they are looking for in graduates who are looking to break into their careers post-graduation while enjoying their lunch. 

Our panelists include:

  • Mirela Bicakcic - Enterprise Holdings, Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • April Ferguson - AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Business Development Manager 
  • Derrick Hutchison - College Possible, Director
  • Ashley King - DEI Labs Inc., Founder/Chief Executive Officer
  • Terry McDaniel - TPV Solutions Corporation, President
  • Denise Navarro - Logical Innovations Inc., President/Chief Executive Officer

Sessions Blocks

Check out last year's sessions for an idea of what is usually offered at our conference! Check back in early October for the announcement of our 2023 slate of workshops. 

Take-Off: Session Block 1 (10:30-11:20 a.m.)

Journey to the Core – Exploring Core Vales on the Path to Self-Discovery

This presentation will focus on the importance of identifying and embracing core values. Our interactive activity will allow attendees to identify deeply held values and how they relate to their leadership style and professional lives. Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking session that will inspire you to align the way you lead with your deepest beliefs.

Track: Leadership

Presenter: Megan Bearden


How to Delegate Effectively

Failing to delegate can increase your risk of burnout. It also shortchanges your team by denying them opportunities for leadership and professional growth. Leaders often do not delegate because of limiting mindsets, such as “No one can live up to my standards,” or “It’s easier to do this myself.”

This workshop will be interactive. Participants will be divided into small groups to answer the following questions concerning delegating: What are the benefits to your organization?  What are the benefits to your organization’s leadership? What are the benefits to you as a member of your organization? What are the barriers to effective delegation?

Track: Leadership

Presenter: Cynthia Parra


Cultivating Leadership and Leading with Heart

We will explore the intersection of leadership and civility to create a culture of respect in the workplace.

Track: Session Fits Both Tracks

Presenter: Marina Guerra


Our fourth session in this block will be revealed soon!

Soaring: Session Block 2 (11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.)

Strategic Thinking as a College Student

As a college student, strategic thinking is crucial in personal and professional development. By thinking strategically, college students can assess their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. In this session, students will gain the strategic mindset to analyze situations, set clear goals, and make informed decisions that align with short-term and long-term objectives.

Track: This session fits both tracks

Presenter: Dontae Armstrong


Packing your Leadership Potential while Soaring to Excellence.

In this Presentation students will be giving the tools to pack their leadership potential. We will explore the characteristics and skills that will ensure personal and professional success! Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will learn what their personal leadership styles are. 2. Participants will learn to how to effectively communicate while networking and building relationships. 3. Participants will learn the tools needed to take charge and prepare them for lifelong success.

Track: Leadership

Presenter: Jennifer Harris


Transcending STEM Barriers Through Leadership

Hispanic/Latine and low-income students enter their undergraduate journey with barriers that are not necessarily in their control. As STEM majors, Hispanic/Latine and low-income students have added barriers that may make their undergraduate journey tougher to complete. Nevertheless, through the help of a program such as Pathways to STEM Careers (PSC), an HSI-STEM Grant, students transcend these barriers through leadership opportunities.  PSC provides the students with opportunities to improve verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, while attending workshops that help develop leaderships traits for career development specifically in the STEM fields. Through this presentation, you will hear about the experiences of our students, and the barriers they had to transcend while finding amazing leadership opportunities they have been a part of.

Track: Career Development 

Presenter: Lupita Hernandez


How to Build Strong Teams through Communication and Time Management

Teamwork is a critical job readiness skill. In this session, I will cover how to create, high-performing teams with a focus on communication and time management skills.  

Track: Session Fits Both Tracks

Presenter: Ryan Ruffner

Final Approach: Session Block 3 (2:00-2:50 p.m.)

Leadership on the Loose with Dr. Seuss

Would you, could you, should you lead?  Won’t you, don’t you meat their needs?  Dr. Seuss has been teaching us to lead since we were infants.  Such stories as Green Eggs and Ham and Horton Hatches the Egg offer views on lessons to be learned and on leadership techniques.  The conference participants will read various Dr. Seuss books.  From these books they will identify and explain leadership qualities, either good or bad, that are found in the books and discuss what they have found with the other participants.

Track: Career Development

Presenter: Vanessa J. Maduzia


How to Look Good While Networking

Students will learn how to network in various settings and situations, and how to establish their professional image/ brand. As well as be able to identify what to wear for interviews and how to differentiate what type of professional wear is appropriate for various settings and situations.

Track: Career Development

Presenter: Paige Saenz


Leadership and Change - Who Needs It?

We will delve into what is effective leadership and is change necessary when things from many different perspectives are running smoothly. Students will be challenged with questions designed for them to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Unique, real, and powerful storytelling will apply to challenge entitlement and what we take granted on a daily basis. The idea is for students to come out of this program thinking differently, feeling differently, and responding differently in an empowering way!

Track: Leadership

Presenter: Dr. Jorge Tennin


Top 10 Things You Should Know About Management to Help Your Career

You may not have time to take a management class, but you have time to get the top 10 things I think you should know about management that will be helpful in your career.

Track: Career Development

Presenter: Dr. Laura Guerrero


Directions

Conference activities will be held in the Bayou Building on the UHCL campus.

University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058

Parking

Free parking is in Student Lot D for the conference.

Campus Map (PDF)

Dining

A light breakfast and lunch are included with your conference registration.

 

Contact

  • Student Involvement and Leadership

    Phone: 281-283-2560
    Fax: 281-283-2566
    Email: getinvolved@uhcl.edu

    SSCB 1204
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 198
    Houston, TX 77058-1002

    Regular office hours:
    Mon. - Thurs., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Fri. - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Please call ahead during holidays and semester breaks.