Students attend Martin Luther King Jr. Student Leadership Conference
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Leadership Conference on January 13, 2024. It was a profound occasion that brought together UIC student leaders from a variety of positions and backgrounds who led and participated in important sessions throughout the conference.
Nick Daily, founder and CEO of LuvServed Daily Consulting, presented an engaging keynote speech revolving around “the joy of considering what can be” which guided students on how to stay positive despite barriers they may face in both their academic and personal endeavors and how to create safe spaces themselves. As a Black queer advocate, Daily highlighted individual autonomy, humility, exploration and intellectual growth while offering perspectives on principles like justice, equity and inclusion.
Daily urged attendees to dream about what might be in their ideal world and stressed the value of imagining a bright future. They talked about the typical obstacles that student leaders encounter, pushing attendees to shift from an outlook of impossibility to one of unlimited possibilities. They also drew attention to the close relationship that exists between the highly individualized nature of the labor involved and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).
“Connected to JEDI is the reality that it is hard work and it is soul work. And oftentimes, it’s personal work,” Daily stated.
Emphasizing the importance of this dedication to oneself, they referenced Tarana Burke’s powerful affirmation: “You deserve safety. You deserve protection. You deserve love and you deserve peace.”
In addition to the keynote speaker, Nehemiah Chung, director of student transitions and engagement, discussed the obstacles of recruiting, retaining and aiding student organizations. Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Kevin Cane spoke on partnership building and valuing diversity while Vanesa Velazquez, assistant director of the center for student involvement, gave helpful tips on event organizing techniques.
Rae Joyce Baguilat, director of student leadership and civic engagement, examined the intricacies of identities in leadership while Kelly McCray, executive director of student transitions and connections, spoke on thriving in transition for transfer and sophomore students. Director of High Impact Student Experiences Allen Womble also shared how student organizations contribute to the creation of a “Beloved Community.”
In her closing remarks, Joy Vergara, assistant vice chancellor of student engagement, acknowledged the obstacles faced by the attendees in their various roles at UIC.
“We believe that you can really make change happen here at UIC,” Vergara said. “You already have in different ways, but now you have this community to help make change happen faster and have more of an impact.”
She highlighted the students’ dedication to learning outside of the classroom and encouraged them to keep taking bold chances as leaders. Vergara underlined how crucial it is to have constant communication and include others in the transformation process. She voiced her conviction in the participants’ power to create meaningful change and urged everyone to collectively work toward a swifter and more influential impact.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Student Leadership Conference gave UIC student leaders a forum to have stimulating conversations, gain insightful knowledge and establish a community of peers dedicated to fostering positive change. Through this experience, participants were urged to keep promoting a culture of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their roles at UIC and beyond.