Call for Proposals: Student Leadership and Engagement Conference

Posted by on July 25, 2011

Call for Proposals
PACC’s “Best in Class” Student Leadership and Engagement Conference
October 21-22, Holiday Inn-Harrisburg East, Harrisburg, PA

PA Campus Compact seeks workshop proposals for the upcoming annual conference “Best in Class” Student Leadership and Engagement Conference, October 21-22, Holiday Inn-Harrisburg East, Harrisburg, PA.  Through a grant provided by Jenzabar Foundation, this conference will convene college and university students from across the mid-Atlantic region with the following goals:
1)  Develop the leadership skills of students as they manage civic engagement programs through campus-community partnerships which address community-identified needs;
2)  Educate students on how to leverage civic engagement for addressing issues facing communities;
3)   Expose students to careers in the fields of non-profit community development, civic engagement, and higher education.

To achieve the proposed goals, the conference will draw on theoretical framework of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Astin, 1993). This model will be woven into small student groups which will provide opportunities for discussion and experientially-based activities.  Administrators will participate in concurrent workshops which will introduce the leadership model, identify strategies for weaving it into their student leadership development program, provide opportunities for networking.

Additionally, three workshop tracks will be offered through the two-day event:  Student Leadership Development, Hot Issues in Our Communities, Nonprofit Careers.  PACC is seeking workshop proposals around these three tracks which address the following outcomes:

1)     Develop leadership skills of students to lead campus-community civic engagement programs on their campuses, which address community-identified needs:
•    Students develop leaderships skills through understanding the 7 C’s of Social Change Model for Student Leadership Development: consciousness of self, congruence, community, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility, citizenship
•    Students return to campus better-equipped with skills to manage their own civic engagement programs
•    Students gain confidence in their abilities to be active citizens in their communities
•    Students gain experience as presenters

2)     Educate students on issues in community development and civic engagement:
•    Students gain an understanding of the issues currently facing communities
•    Students gain an understanding of issues in civic engagement
•    Students return to campus and educate other students on community issues and the importance of civic engagement
•    Students become more civically engaged in their communities.

3)     Expose students to careers in the fields of non-profit community development, civic engagement, and higher education:
•    Students gain awareness about the types of careers in public service that are available
•    Students develop their career goals
•    Student learn about the steps (including educational and experiential) that need to be taken to achieve their career goals
•    Students go on to pursue careers in public service

Presenters may submit proposals for individual presentations or workshops that address these outcomes for hour-long workshops.  Please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words describing your proposed presentation by September 8, 2011 to admin@paccompact.org.  Proposals should clarify the session’s focus and goals.

If you have any questions regarding the call for submissions, contact Char Gray at cgray@paccompact.org.  More conference information at http://www.paccompact.org.

Conference Registration deadline is  September 29, 2011. Registration fees will be finalized by August when registration is open.