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Galloway, N.J. – With a renewed energy for enriching student experience in higher education, the Cultural Engagement Osprey (CEO) program returned for its third annual Empowered Leadership Conference on Friday, April 4.

The conference, which included a panel discussion, keynote presentation, multiple concurrent workshops and an awards ceremony, was designed, marketed and executed by this year’s CEO interns, who were selected in an application process that required good academic standing and a commitment to professional development and service-learning activities. 

According to Ana Edmondson, the founder of the CEO program, the conference was designed to empower the students in charge of leading the conference and the students, some from area institutions external to �鶹��ý����, participating in the day-long event.

The CEO interns develop their skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and team building, and learn about concepts like inclusion and equity through participating in weekly professional development and educational activities, collaborating in their committees and reflecting on their lessons weekly.

“The interns become equipped and empowered to lead the conference and, in turn, become prepared to go into any interview thereafter,” Edmondson said. “All aspects of the internship stretch and sharpen their talents to the point they feel prepared on the day of the conference to serve the people and speak in public.”

Edmondson also said she hoped the participants who attended the conference left feeling “empowered to lead in spaces and build their brand.”

“We see students who want to be a CEO intern the next year. I saw one student follow me on LinkedIn that same day, who activated her account when she left the conference because of the tip she received during the morning panel,” she said. 

For major Lisa Hernandez and Environmental Science major Chance Brown, the conference introduced them to on-campus resources in a new and unique way.

“The CEO leadership conference has shown me the different opportunities that �鶹��ý���� has on campus and the cultural diversity that we all have, and that we can come together as a student body and share our differences,” said Hernandez, of Laurel Springs.

“I think the program is definitely a very informative one with a lot of useful resources on networking and advancing your career,” said Brown, of Pleasantville. “Overall, I'm just having a great time getting to explore all of the resources here at my disposal.”

Following the welcome exhibit, the Hallway of Empowerment, and a lively Barbie-themed performance by the Galloway Township Middle School Step Team, was a dynamic panel discussion in which faculty and staff discussed how higher education empowers students to become the next generation of leaders.  

The panelists – which included Netesha Peterson (Career Education & Development), Esther Lawrence and Tara Marsh (School of Business), Lauren Balasco (School of Social & Behavioral Sciences) and Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez (Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center) – encouraged students to seek out mentors who will inspire them to develop both personally and professionally. 

Shedia Laguer, manager of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, then delivered this year’s keynote speech.