The IU Bloomington Office of Student Life and university partners are proud to host the Indiana University Student Leadership Conference in Bloomington on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
The conference theme is Elements of Empowerment: Accessing the Leader Within You. Attendees will learn about leadership, empowerment, and excellence. It is free for students on all campuses. Dynamic speakers and engaging activities will foster the creation of a leadership toolkit and enhance your personal leadership action plan!
Lunch will be provided. The conference will end with a closing keynote. Track and session titles will come soon!
Who can attend? Any IU undergraduate student can attend. The conference is free, and there are no GPA requirements. We encourage any student wanting to explore and enhance their leadership skills and opportunities to sign up!
Where can I stay? The conference has a block of rooms reserved at the IMU Biddle Hotel for student groups from regional campuses. Use discount code IUSLC26 when booking. Make a reservation today!
Registration is closed.
Conference agenda
The conference will begin with a morning keynote address, after which students will break out into individualized tracks, focusing on their specific leadership level and focus areas. Each track will have four sessions, two before lunch, two after lunch.
Willkie Auditorium 8–10 a.m.
Passion into Action: How to Lead Change in What Matters to You Presenter: Jasmine Vaughan (IU Bloomington alum) Willkie Auditorium, 8:30– 9:45 a.m.
(All sessions take place from 10–11:15 a.m. in the IU School of Education.)
Track 1–A
Leadership 101: Understanding my Leadership Style Presenters: Laura Herrera, Toluwalope Semowo, Hunter Wienke (IU Bloomington)
Track 1–B
Failure to Fuel, Setbacks to Success: Leading Through Mistakes and Mishaps Presenter: Jamartae Jackson (director of First-Generation and Limited-Income Student Programs, IU Bloomington)
Track 2–A
The Real Scoop on Artificial Intelligence and its Role in Effective Leadership Presenter: Kenneth Riddle (IU Northwest alumnus)
Track 2–B
Mystery Solved: Exploring the Hidden Curriculum of Leadership Presenter: Laura Stachowski (faculty member, IU Bloomington School of Education)
Track 3–A
Managing My Time Instead of Time Managing Me Presenter: Jimmie McMillian (IU Bloomington alumnus)
Track 3–B
Translating Leadership to Service: From College to Community Presenter: Michigan City, Ind., Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch (IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington alumna)
Willkie Auditorium
(All sessions take place from 1–2:15 p.m. in the IU School of Education.)
Track 1–A
Is My Mic On? The Not-So-Secret Sauce to Communicating Confidently as a Leader Presenter: Joe Packowski (lecturer, IU Kelley School of Business, and doctoral student)
Track 1–B
Outside the lines: Embracing Creativity as a Conduit for Bold Leadership Presenter: Maurisa A-Li-Ping (IU Bloomington alum)
Track 2–A
Being the Leader of Me: Adulting 101 Presenter: Kodee Walls (director, Counseling and Psychological Services, IU Bloomington)
Track 2–B
The Power of Presence: Building Your Network Through Communication Presenter: LaTisha Pirtle (IU Bloomington alum)
Track 3–A
Courageous Conversations: Managing and Resolving Conflict in Difficult Situations Presenter: Paulina Johnson (IU Northwest alum)
Track 3–B
Lead, Laugh, Repeat: Maintaining Joy in Leadership Presenter: Muhammad Saahir (IU Bloomington alum)
All Indiana University events, groups, activities, and educational, cultural, and historical observances welcome all IU students and other members of the Indiana University community.
