Welcome! We are pleased you have joined us for the 8th Annual U-Lead Conference. This event is one of the largest leadership development opportunities for Minnesota State Mankato Students. U-lead is the culmination of hard work and commitment from many student groups, departments, and academic departments. Groups and departments working to bring you this year’s event include:
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Interfraternity Council
Kearney Center for International Student Services
Leadership-U
Panhellenic Council
Maverick Involvement Team
Residence Hall Association
Student Events Team
Please take time to meet and mingle with other students and our presenters. Over these four nights, you’ll have a chance to attend different sessions from 11 presenters. If you came with a group, we suggest you have members attend different sessions and discuss the sessions following the conference. After each session, and at the end of the conference, you’ll have a chance to provide feedback. Please complete these evaluations, as they help us plan for future events! Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1—7:00 PM Session 1—7:00 PM Keynote 2—7:00 PM Sessions 2—7:00 PM Sessions 1—8:00 PM Session
1—8:00 PM Session 2—8:00 PM Sessions 1—8:00 PM Session Special Note: Refreshments will be provided for this highlight night.
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Leading Imperfectly: The Value of Being Authentic for Student Leaders and Human Beings 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 19th | CSU Ballroom Oh boy, another speech on leadership. Instead of waiting for the same cliché leadership lessons, it’s time to be different. Let’s talk about who you are personally as a leader. As humans, we can’t learn things from people who are perfect, we can only learn things from people who are imperfect. So, it is time to own who you are so you can be real to others and lead through your faults. This deep but hysterical keynote will leave you feeling introspective about the person you show to others. It will show you how being more authentic actually inspires open communication, forms tighter bonds, and causes members to be more engaged. We need to talk about you before we can talk about us, so let’s discuss where you struggle and succeed to make you a more efficient and effective authentic leader for your organization.
About Our Presenter James Robilotta is an improv comedian, professional speaker, author, and host of the podcast Diner Talks with James. He speaks to willing and unwilling audiences internationally about authentic leadership and promoting memorability. As a speaker, he is doing the two things he loves the most: causing audiences to think critically about their leadership journeys and making people laugh! His thoughtprovoking talks are infused with self-awareness and comedy stemming from his background as a trained stand-up and improv comedian. James loves to help people get out of their own ways to live the lives they deserve and be the leaders they are capable of becoming. 2
Monday: It’s Time to Adult… Are you Ready? Bill Tourville, Assistant Director for Campus Programs
Monday, October 18th - Tuesday, October 19th
October 18th, 7:00 PM - CSU 201 This presentation will cover many of things you need to know as you take on more responsibility in your life. Topics will include health insurance, buying a car, retirement, and much more. Been There, Done That: Experienced Student Leaders Share What They’ve Learned MNSU Student Organization Leaders October 18th, 8:00 PM - CSU 201 Been there, done that, is a panel of experienced student leaders that have been highly involved on campus. They are here to share what they have learned and answer any questions you may have.
Tuesday:
KEYNOTE AND FEATURED SPEAKER James Robilotta
Special Note: Refreshments will be provided for this highlight night! Leading Imperfectly: The Value of Being Authentic for Student Leaders and Human Beings 7:00 PM - CSU Ballroom (Please see front page for presentation description) IMPROV Your Teamwork and Communication 8:00 PM - CSU Ballroom Teamwork and communication are the backbone of any effective organization. These highly interactive workshop(s) focus on highlighting best practices and common pitfalls that teams exhibit in these areas. I will stretch your team’s comfort zone, breaking down the barriers that hold us back from authentic and supportive workplaces. At the same time I will create a safe place for people to laugh at themselves and process what they are experiencing. 3
Wednesday: 7:00 PM — Eating Healthy on a College Budget Holly Ellison RD, LD, Registered Dietitian at MNSU October 20th, 7:00 PM - Armstrong 102 Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive! Learn tips and tricks to stretch your dollar and expand your health and wellness. Leadership Lessons from “Among Us” Maverick Involvement Team
Leadership lessons can come from anywhere - even popular games! Join us as we play "Among Us" and highlight how group dynamics affect the teams we work in. (Please bring a mobile device to play).
8:00 PM — Making Memories: Your guide to Successful Event Planning Student Events Team Board & Bill Tourville, Assistant Director for Campus Programs October 20th, 8:00 PM - Armstrong 102 Learn the steps you need to follow when planning a successful event both on and off-campus. Learn the techniques to take your social, banquet, or celebration to the next level. Beyond Burnout: Navigating Mental Health in College Emi Menk, Assistant Director for Student Activities October 20th, 8:00 PM - Armstrong 101 Join Emi for a candid discussion about managing mental health and burnout as a college student - not just prevention, but how to bounce back when you feel like you're already burned out. 4
Wednesday, October 20th
October 20th, 7:00 PM - Armstrong 101
Thursday: 7:00 PM — Financial Literacy for College Students Jesse Hill and Jaden Dowhaniuk, Northwestern Mutual October 21st, 7:00 PM - Armstrong 102 Lets talk money. In this presentation we will be discussing investing in yourself and others and your clients, leadership, financial 101 and what to know coming out of college.
Thursday, October 21st
Why Doesn’t Anyone Else Care? Navigating Apathy in Student Organizations John Bulcock, Assistant Director of Student Activities October 21st, 7:00 PM - Morris 102 One of the most commonly heard complaints from student organization officers is that general members, or even other officers, aren’t committed to playing as active of a role with the group as they should be. This session, considering thoughts from TJ Sullivan’s book “Motivating the Middle,” as well as real-life experiences, will look at why that is and some potential strategies for re-engaging members…or being ok with the reality we have.
8:00 PM — Interpersonal Communication in a Polarized World Dr. Kristen Cvancara, Professor of Communication Studies October 21st, 8:00 PM - Armstrong 102 Tough conversations are easy to avoid and hard to navigate. This session offers strategies for effectively discussing difficult topics when talking to people you care about.
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Bill Tourville Bill is the Assistant Director for Student Activities and works with the Student Events Team. He has been in event production for 15+ years and enjoys spending time with his partner and three daughters.
Holly Ellison RD, LD Holly is the campus Registered Dietitian at MNSU - Mankato. Holly guides students and provides education on how to create a healthy and balanced plate for every meal.
Maverick Involvement Team
Student Events Team Board The board is made up of a diverse group of students who plan and run some of campus’s favorite events (homecoming, Bingo, comedians, etc.). With events averaging over 700 people in attendance, they know a thing or two about how to put on a successful event.
Emi Menk Emi serves as the Assistant Director of RSOs, Leadership, and Nontraditional Students. She's also a cat and dog mom, coffee lover, Nintendo nerd, and outdoor enthusiast with a penchant for pop punk!
Dr. Kristen Cvancara Dr. Cvancara has read about, taught, and investigated interpersonal communication for over 25 years. She knows how to break down a tough conversation so you can effectively discuss it with confidence. 7
Presenter Biographies
Maverick Involvement Team is a student-led program that encourages students to discover and enhance their authentic inner-leader through peer-to-peer activity and involvement in Recognized Student Organizations
Jesse Hill and Jaden Dowhaniuk Jesse Hill is a financial advisor and a leader in the Mankato office of Northwestern Mutual. Jaden Dowhaniuk was a 2-year intern and is now a full-time advisor and helps group the Northwestern Mutual internship program.
John Bulcock
Presenter Biographies
John has worked in Higher Education for more than 15 years, at large and small private and public universities. He currently advises Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Government at MSU.
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Notes
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The U-Lead Conference is Brought to You By
A member of the Minnesota State system and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Student Activities at 507-389-6076 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY( at least 5 days prior to the event. This document is available in alternate format to individuals with disabilities by calling the above numbers. www.mnsu.edu/activities