UA News

The UA's student-run National Collegiate Leadership Conference, which trains students from around the nation in leadership skills, takes place on campus this month.

Students will be gaining and strengthening leadership skills, learning to take an active role in their community and meeting new people from across the country at a conference this month.

The National Collegiate Leadership Conference will be held at the University of Arizona from Feb. 19-21 at the Student Union Memorial Center.

The conference, also known as NCLC, is meant to promote social responsibility among students by teaching them leadership skills and ways to get involved in their communities and campuses through community service.

"There's something for everyone," said Christine Caballero, a sophomore at Pima Community College studying hospitality and one of the 14 students on the NCLC committee.

Given Kachepa, a Zambian singer who was orphaned at the age of 9, is this year's keynote speaker. Kachepa became a victim of human trafficking when he was brought to the United States at the age 11. He has appeared on numerous programs such as ABC "Nightline."

This year, representatives and speakers from more than 30 institutions will lead 75 workshops.

Students choose which workshops they want to attend and, depending on the workshop, can earn one of two leadership certificates at the end of the conference. Those interested in certification must attend eight different workshops or four two-hour sessions.

Caballero also said the conference was an excellent opportunity to meet new people and network with others from across the country.

"People from Texas, from New York, China – there's a lot of diversity," she said. "It's not just leadership, they teach you how to reach your community, you get motivated to do better yourself and help others."

One of the NCLC's areas of focus has been community service.

In the past, conference participants have been engaged in several small community service projects, but this is the first year that a project is planned for the entire conference. Participants will work with the Tucson Community Food Bank to help package 30,000 bags of rice for distribution in the Tucson area. 

The NCLC will also be providing food and entertainment with its own Battle of the Bands, featuring Arizona musical groups Fight the Fame, The Market, Sister Cities and Shining Soul.

There are also opportunities for participants to take part in "Tucson Excursions," including visits to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Arizona State Museum and Catalina State Park.

The NCLC, the largest student-run conference in the country, is open to all students and advisors from across the nation. Last year, approximately 440 people attended and 500 are expeced this year. 

One reason for the draw is that the conference is among the least expensive for students, said Alma Cuellar, an NCLC Committee member. 

Many national leadership conferences cost $300 to $600, said Cuellar, who recently graduated from Northern Arizona University with a master's degree in educational leadership.

The registration fee is $75 per participant.

Officially the last day to register is Feb. 5; however, the conference is quickly reaching its limit of 600 participants and may end registration sooner. Those who are interested are advised to sign up as soon as possible.

"What sets us apart from other leadership conferences is it's affordable, it accessible, it's here in Tucson," Cuellar said.