UWM Student Involvement offered a leadership conference for students that workshopped leadership skills, built character and added to resumes. Ignite Leadership Institute was a single four-hour leadership conference held on Sept. 27 that taught lifelong leadership skills and perspectives on what it means to lead.
According to Sheila Keaton, Assistant Director of Student Involvement, the conference was designed to get students to understand the roles of leadership in their own lives.
Keaton, who led the event said, “I love how the participants engage in this conversation, the factors they consider, how they work together to achieve consensus.”
Students who attended received a free lunch, a detailed leadership workbook and a T-shirt. They participated in group discussions and engaging activities as well.
An important aspect of attending the Institute is the certificate students receive and the resume building opportunity it offers.
“Employers are looking for students that have leadership experience but also are able to talk about it,” Keaton said. “If the Ignite participants are making the connection to add this to their resume – I feel like that’s a success.”
The Ignite Leadership Institute is available to all UWM students for free who pre-register online.
“You don’t need to have been the president of a student organization to be able to see yourself as a leader,” Keaton said. “As cliche as it sounds, literally anybody can go through this program.”
Ignite will be offered once more this semester, on Friday, Nov. 22, and twice in the spring semester.
“I wanted to have more proof that I am qualified to be put in a leadership position,” said Daniela Hernandez, a UWM student who attended.
“I think I would recommend this to anyone interested in participating in leadership work but also someone that is an introvert,” said Ro-Suhana Hafiz, another UWM student. “You get to make friends and hang out with people that are on the same boat as you.”
Student Involvement offers other student leadership programs including College to Career, Strengths for Students and Leave Your Mark.