The Empowered Leadership Conference (ELC) took place on Friday, April 3, 2026 on Stockton’s Galloway Campus Center Event Room.

At Stockton University, leadership is not treated as a position to be earned, but as a responsibility to be lived. That philosophy was brought to life through the Empowered Leadership Conference, a student-led initiative organized by the Cultural Engagement Osprey (CEO) program that transformed the Campus Center into a space of reflection, connection, and purpose.

From the very beginning, the energy behind the conference was unmistakable. Behind the scenes, Chief CEO Terron Oglesby and a team of student leaders including CEO interns Kamora Gill, Najmah Liang, Josh Corsentino, Jamie Aleman, Sabrya Banks, Juan Castillo Ruiz, Zoe Phillips, and Deesha Choskhi worked to execute a program that felt both seamless and deeply intentional.

Whether coordinating backstage operations, managing audience engagement, or guiding transitions throughout the day, each CEO played a visible role in shaping the experience. When speaking with them, what stood out most was not just their organization, but their genuine excitement. There was a clear sense of pride and ownership in what they had built, and that enthusiasm translated directly into the atmosphere of the event itself.

The conference opened with a performance from the StockTones in the Campus Center Theatre. Amber Davies, CEO Internship Coordinator, introduced the mission of the conference, emphasizing its purpose to empower students to advance their communities and grow in their careers, and setting the tone for a day that would move far beyond surface-level conversations about leadership.

The morning continued with a panel discussion moderated by CEO Liang, featuring voices from across campus leadership and student organizations. Panelists Brian Pluchino, Melany Cruz, Jecce Harriott, and Victorious Johnson explored questions surrounding advocacy, identity, and social change.

The conversation progressed thoughtfully, beginning with personal motivations and expanding into broader discussions about impact, storytelling, and the challenges that leaders face. What made the panel especially effective was its structure. Rather than isolated questions, it created a narrative arc that allowed both speakers and audience members to reflect on leadership as an evolving journey rather than a fixed role.

Following the panel, the conference transitioned into spoken word by Amina Pleasant and a keynote presentation by Aleyshka Barbosa. The keynote, in particular, challenged one of the most normalized aspects of modern culture: burnout. Instead of reinforcing the idea that success is defined by constant productivity, Barbosa reframed leadership through sustainability and connection.

She pushed back against the glamorization of grind culutre, emphasizing that true growth comes not from exhaustion, but from alignment with oneself and others. In doing so, she redefined self-care as something deeper than surface-level practices, shifting it away from temporary relief and toward meaningful connection and long term well-being.

The intentionality of the day extended into the Interactive Lunch Experience. Rather than allowing the energy of the conference to fade, the lunch period was designed as an extension of engagement. With elements such as DJ Lils, henna art, headshots, and a 360 photo booth, the space encouraged movement, connection, and continued participation.

Performances from organizations such as the Galloway Township Middle School Step Team, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., and Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority reinforced a sense of community that felt both celebratory and purposeful.

Following lunch, the conference transitioned into breakout sessions, where the experience became more personal and reflective. Among these, “The Joy Reset: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion,” led by Cassandra Burnett Esq. and supported by CEO Castillo Ruiz, stood out as particularly impactful.

The session explored the distinction between joy and happiness, encouraging participants to reflect on how often their sense of fulfillment is tied to other people or external circumstances. Burnett shared her own experience of having to rediscover joy for herself after realizing how much of it had once depended on others, a perspective that resonated deeply within the room.

What made the session especially meaningful was its interactive nature. Participants were invited to share their personal dreams with one another, creating space where vulnerability was met with affirmation. Speaking those aspirations out loud, and hearing others express belief in them, transformed something internal into something real. In a simple but powerful gesture, each attendee received a small jar containing a dandelion, representing a wish. The act of releasing it later served as a reminder to carry those intentions forward beyond the conference.

Additional breakout sessions across the Campus Center reflected a wide range of leadership perspectives. “Competency to Currency: The Art of Developing Value,” led by Bryant Edmondson, focused on translating skills into opportunity.

“Leading without a Title: Influence, Discipline, and Presence,” guided by Jose Morales, challenged traditional ideas of authority and highlighted the importance of presence over position.

“The Baggage We Carry,” led by Jestina Drysdale, created space to reflect on the personal experiences and challenges that shape leadership.

Additional breakout sessions included: “Rewriting the Blueprint,” with Timaya McGowan, “Career Ready: Building Your NACE Edge,” with Patrick Burns and Edson St. Juste, and “Heavy is the Head,” with Jovin Fernandez and Alberto Jacamo. Each session reflected a different dimension of leadership, from professional development to personal growth, reinforcing the idea that leadership is not one-size-fits-all.

The day concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing student leaders, organizations, and faculty who have made meaningful contributions to the Stockton community. Awards such as Student Leader of the Year (Jose Morales), Organization of the Year (La Trinidad), Faculty/Staff of the Year (Dr. Ahjani Kimone), and Advocate for Mental Health and LGBTQIA+ Community Award (Jecce Harriott) highlighted the impact already being made across campus. Dr. Ana Edmondson then recognized the CEO interns as well, further emphasizing the work they contributed to Stockton University.

What ultimately distinguished the Empowered Leadership Conference was its ability to balance structure with authenticity. Every element of the day challenged attendees to rethink what leadership actually means. Rather than associating it with titles, productivity, or visibility, the conference reframed leadership as something rooted in self-awareness, connection, and intentional action.

In a world that often equates success with constant output, Stockton’s Empowered Leadership Conference offers a different perspective. It suggests that leadership is not about doing more, but about becoming more, both for oneself and for the communities we are a part of. And through the dedication of its student leaders, that message was not only shared, but fully realized.