Research shows that centering student voice in the life of a program increases student persistence by fostering student engagement, cultivating a sense of community, and building student ownership of their learning. Student leadership also promotes the “liberation” concepts shared in our UPD ADEI work: power sharing, community, understanding, belonging, self-determination, and trust.

In this workshop, we will hear directly from student leaders about their experiences, we will explore how engaging students as active partners in program design and implementation can strengthen a program, increase student persistence, and further equitable access (IPQ2). Our panelists will share their experiences engaging in diverse forms of student leadership, including:

• Student government and student leadership councils
• Engaging lawmakers as student ambassadors 
• Telling one’s story to create change

We will also discuss practical models and considerations for implementing student leadership activities.

Following this workshop, we encourage you to take advantage of available individualized, program-based coaching to support your efforts to implement new student leadership models or build upon existing student leadership activities in your program. We also encourage you to participate in the second of this two-part PD series in February, which offers support and feedback for programs actively building and growing student leadership opportunities. 

Although not required, we encourage programs to attend in teams with the director, teachers, advisors, volunteers, student leaders, and others who might engage in this effort.