Stockton brings many opportunities for growth, development, and success for students that seek these qualities. Many of such opportunities shine through the Cultural Engagement Operations (CEO) Project, in which Cultural Engagement Osprey interns participate to develop leadership skills, find graduate opportunities, and learn about career readiness. The program’s culminating project is the annual Empowered Leadership Conference (ELC), which is organized and planned by the CEOs themselves as their capstone project for the program.

The Argo interviewed Dr. Ana Edmondson, the Visionary of the CEO Project, who proposed the idea in Spring 2022. Here, she shared more information about the upcoming 2025 conference, which will be on Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting in the Campus Center Grand Hall.

What is the Empowered Leadership Conference for?

Edmondson: “It was developed to equip and empower students to advance in their communities and excel in their careers. It provides a platform for leaders to come to campus, and encourage them to take action on issues impacting their communities. I attended the Conference in Philadelphia, which is sponsored by Campus Philly. It’s for schools to prepare for career readiness opportunities. I thought it would be great to bring it to campus because Philly is a long drive and the cost to get students to drive out there would be a challenge. So, we brought the conference to Stockton and let students plan it because that will equip them with the skills they need as a professional.”

“The intent is for students to plan this conference, learn all of the skills from career competencies, development, and learning processes on teamwork, technology, communication, personal development, among other career readiness competencies. The true reason was to build another esteemed group of leaders outside of TALONS, Ambassadors, and RAs; another core group of leaders that will have an impact on Stockton’s campus.”

Who will be attending that students should take the opportunity to meet?

Edmondson: “Keynote speakers: we’ve reached out to Alumni Relations. They recommended Dr. Shedia Laguer. She used to work in Student Development. She will be returning under her new title — From the Deep End: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Strength and Grace. She serves under the Human Resources team at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP).”

“We have alumni and professional staff who will be supporting on a panel; from the Career office, School of Business, Hellenic Studies, among a few others. We have workshops from students who will be presenting, led by the Counseling and Psychological Services office. We have reps from Stockton Cares, Multicultural Center, and Student Conduct. We have a bunch of staff and pros who will provide rich content for attendees. In addition, we are inviting local high school students and community college students to be exposed to our campus and perhaps decide to come to Stockton’s Open House and potentially apply to Stockton.”

Why should students attend this conference?

Edmondson: “We are all destined to be leaders. It’s important that students reflect on our current leadership practices, and that they’re empowered and equipped to tap into their own strengths, become self-aware of their blind spots, and improve their leadership approach for all the spaces they enter, whether it be in the classroom, during their internships, their clubs and organizations, or beyond Stockton. We are trying to empower students to become self-aware and strengthen their leadership approach to be more inclusive in any space that they enter.”

Are there any opportunities for those who miss the conference?

Edmondson: “The beginning will be the keynote speakers and panelists. There will be an interactive lunch, with activities and live entertainment. Then after there will be the breakout workshops, then a recognition/award ceremony at the end. Hopefully students will be able to attend one of those time slots.”

“The CEO Internship opens in September. [Students] can be a part of that internship group, who will then lead next year’s conference. They have to apply for this internship. The conference is for Stockton students, but the CEO conference has been such a huge impact on the interns. Interns have used this to get jobs, other internships, PhD programs, law school, getting into college student affairs, Masters programs. I have interns who have graduated and done well, and talked about their CEO internship experience. Students can choose to apply credit hours towards this internship. They work with Dr. Michael Rodriguez; they have to write a 15-page reflection paper.”

“The internship is a year-long program: from September to December, students practice Professional Development every Friday for two hours. From January to April, they do Prepping and Planning for the Conference.”

Students are highly encouraged to support and attend this year’s Conference. For more information, check out OspreyHub.