Nearly 100 students from three Penn State campuses honed their communication skills and expanded their professional networks at Penn State Behrend’s two-day leadership conference.
ERIE, Pa. — Nearly 100 students from three Penn State Commonwealth Campuses — Behrend, Beaver and Greater Allegheny — honed their communication skills and expanded their professional networks at a two-day leadership conference on Erie’s bayfront.
The conference, “Don’t Give Up the (Leader)Ship,” featured 20 sessions, which were led by community leaders, professional speakers and college faculty, staff and alumni.
The free program, which was open to students at any of Penn State’s western campuses, was coordinated by the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at Behrend.
“Our goal is to help students gain insight into what direction to take their own leadership journey,” said Kris Motta Torok, director of Student Leadership and Involvement. “Students are here from various stages in their leadership development, whether for their own personal growth or to enhance their involvement with clubs on campus.”
Anisha Tiwari, a third-year student at Behrend, said she hoped to build on her leadership skills as president of the Southeast Asian Association and vice president of Behrend’s Student Government Association.
“One of the things I learned is what makes a good leader,” she said. “I think it is one of the best opportunities you can get as a Behrend student — experiences outside of the classroom. You gain people skills.”
One session, led by Brian Slawin of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, explored different approaches to networking.
“Everything you do for the rest of your life will involve other people,” Slawin said. “Understand who you are as a natural networker and leverage those skills.”
The students split into groups to test different "getting-to-know-you" approaches.
“Nobody is perfect at networking, and this is a safe space to practice,” said Courtney Steding, a senior human resources business partner at Erie Insurance Group. “It’s about making connections and being an includer.”
Conrad Lloyd, a senior at Behrend, attended the program for a second time.
“I like that they have small group breakout sessions that let us talk to people,” he said. “Because the groups are assigned, you don’t stay within your own group of friends. You meet other people.”
Robb Frederick
Director of Strategic Communications, Penn State Behrend
