Student Leadership Conference

Building Bridges: Expand Your Communication Toolbox

To connect with people across a variety of situations and modalities, today's leaders need a diverse portfolio of communication skills. At this year's conference, we'll explore a range of topics, including the complexities of free speech at public universities, practical skills for marketing and outreach, and how to de-escalate a heated interaction or offer a genuine apology.

The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect with other student leaders and educators from multiple institutions, build your network, and gain practical skills for your future career. Whether you're an experienced communicator or just beginning your leadership journey, you're sure to learn something new and expand your communication toolbox!

Guest Registration

For non-Portland State students and staff registering as a group or who will have registration covered by their institution:

• Do not use the registration form. Instead, please email asksalp@pdx.edu to let us know how many attendees you will be bringing.
• We will ask for a confirmation and list of names and any food restrictions or accommodation needs a minimum of one week prior to the conference.
• We will invoice the school after the conference with the attendees who participated.
• Cost is $25/attendee, there are no group discounts or discounts for presenters or partial day participation. This price is the per person cost of food, rooms, and supplies.

Program & Agenda

Break-Out Sessions

Understanding Conflict Styles and De-escalation Techniques
Taylor Burke and Claire Araujo, PSU Office of Student Affairs

This session will provide you with information about conflict styles and de-escalation techniques. These skills are important to leaders at every level to assist in managing challenging situations where someone becomes escalated.  

Can They Say That? The First Amendment on College Campuses
Aimee Shattuck, PSU Student Activities and Leadership Programs

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Students who attend this breakout session will have a better understanding of the rights afforded to them as student leaders at a public college or university. We will review what restrictions are and are not allowed and how to stay within your rights. We will have time for questions, especially around protest and expression.

Integrated Marketing Strategies
Ian Wallace, PSU Student Activities and Leadership Programs

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Figuring out how to reach diverse audiences and amplify your message can be a daunting task, but it’s much more manageable if you’re working from a master plan. Join SALP’s Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Ian Wallace for a deep dive into honing your strategy and getting results with chronological marketing plans, common organizational tools, email and social media scheduling, print and digital advertising, and in-person outreach techniques. By the end of our session you’ll know how to create an integrated marketing campaign that leverages all the channels at your disposal for maximum impact!

Accountability: The Anatomy of an Apology
Illuminate, PSU Student Health and Counseling

We are all human, and human beings make mistakes.  We are all flawed and participate in creating harmful conditions, and we all have a collective responsibility to end violence and harm.  This interactive workshop teaches what accountability is, self-reflecting, apologizing, making amends, and changing your behavior, so the harm you caused doesn’t happen again.  We will dive deep into one component of accountability, the anatomy of an apology, a skill that is underdeveloped in most and needed by all.

Communicating with Decision Makers to Make Change on Campus
PSU Student Activities and Leadership Programs Staff

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Students who attend this session will leave with tools to assess who the key decision makers are on campus and how to approach them. We will be reviewing how to build tactics into a larger strategy and how to research the approaches for making the changes you would like to see.

Shame: The Emotion That Consumes Us
Quinn Peoples, PSU Multicultural Student Services

This session focuses on the emotion of shame, what it does to us, and how it keeps us from engaging with others. Based on the Theory of Being Framework by Dr. Sherry K. Watt, this sessions hopes to provide tools and strategies to navigate shame and move us forward one another.

Community College Student Meet-Up
Chelsea Daugherty, Rogue Community College and Rob Camp, Linn Benton Community College

Join other community college student leaders from around Oregon to share your experiences and build your network.

Conference Organizer