Connect, Learn, Lead

The annual Student Leadership Conference provides a unique opportunity to connect with fellow student leaders and educators from various institutions, expand your network, and develop practical skills for your future career. Whether you're an experienced student leader or just starting out, this fun and informative event offers valuable insights and learning experiences for everyone!

Bridge to Student Leader Success conference graphic

2026 Student Leadership Conference

Friday, January 30

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

PSU Smith Memorial Student Union
1825 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97201

Registration is now closed.

Program & Agenda

Check-In10:00 - 10:30 a.m.Smith Ballroom, 355
Welcome Address10:30 - 10:45 a.m.Smith Ballroom, 355
Large Group Activity10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Smith Ballroom, 355
Lunch12:00 - 12:30 p.m.Smith Ballroom, 355
Break-Out Sessions - Slides Linked Below12:45 - 1:45 p.m. 
Student Leaders Succeed by Being Self-Aware Smith 327
Bridge from Community College to Four-Year Institution Smith 328
Bridge to Civic & Community Engagement Smith 329
Bridging to Future Leaders: Setting Up the Next Generation for Success Smith 333
Break-Out Sessions1:55 - 2:55 p.m. 
Bridge to Your Career Smith 327
Bridging Divides: Conflict Resolution Skills for Student Leaders Smith 329
Bridge to Play as Community Building Smith 333
Closing Activity3:00 - 4:00 p.m.Smith 358
Staff Lounge Smith 326

Break-Out Sessions

Student Leaders Succeed by Being Self-Aware
Angela Hamilton, Student Activities & Leadership Programs

Ideally, your motivation for leading change is grounded in doing things that make you come alive. This session builds on a reflection activity to identify those connections and the sectors that intertwine with your topics of interest. Through Bronfenbrenner's socioecological systems model and a theory of transformation, participants will have the opportunity to see how their passions can better align with their approach to leading systemic change.

Bridge from Community College to Four-Year Institution
PSU Student Leaders

This session will be led by current Portland State student leaders that transferred from community colleges. They will be providing information on how to make a seamless transition and to continue as a student leader at your new school

Bridge to Civic & Community Engagement
Madeline Frisk & Melia Tichenor, Student Activities & Leadership Programs

How do you practice civic and community engagement? In this session, we will explore the spectrum of civic and community engagement, identify our own civic personality, and determine actions you are engaged with already and what you hope to explore further.

Bridging to Future Leaders: Setting Up the Next Group for Success
Motu Sipelii, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health

This session will focus on sharing past ASPSU Student Body President, Motu’s, personal experiences and practical advice for student leaders, along with strategies for building leadership pipelines and ensuring clubs, initiatives, and activities remain strong and sustainable year after year.

Bridge to Your Career
Caitlyn Sweeney, PSU Career Center

You bring so many valuable skills to the table as a student leader! In this session, we will identify some of our key strengths and learn how to articulate those strengths in our résumés, cover letters, and job interviews.

Bridging Divides: Conflict Resolution Skills for Student Leaders
Ahmed ElMansouri, PSU MENASA/Cultural Resource Centers

This workshop explores the power of dialogue as a tool for fostering connection, understanding, and collaboration within communities. Participants will learn practical strategies to engage in meaningful conversations, navigate conflicts, and build bridges across diverse perspectives, creating stronger and more inclusive communities.

Bridge Between Community and Play
Erin Bransford & Jenna Siegel, PSU Campus Rec

Join PSU Campus Rec to discover how integrating play into your student leadership work can be a fun and effective way to build community. We will discuss the history and research surrounding play, movement, and community and provide various opportunities to experience all 3 during the session!

Conference Organizer

SALP "Connect, Lead, Volunteer" logo

PSU Student Activities & Leadership Programs

Here at SALP, we have hundreds of opportunities for you to find your people and enrich your student experience, including fun social events, jobs, volunteer opportunities and internships, as well as positions on committees and in student government.  Find out more about our programs with the link below!