Student Leadership

Student leadership anchors each symposium, and in many cases, that leadership is acknowledged with academic credit.

With support and mentorship from faculty and staff, student leaders research and develop the symposium themes, invite and host speakers, create panels and workshops, curate art exhibits, develop publicity, manage budgets, and coordinate event logistics. In addition, students also present their own work, often alongside community leaders, distinguished scholars, and professional writers and artists. All symposia offer rich opportunities for meaningful collaboration, multifaceted research, and the use and development of sophisticated communication skills.

  • Loren Pawelski BA '24

    Being a member of the International Affairs Symposium taught me confidence when presenting ideas, while being a cochair this year taught me to look at the bigger picture goals. I am immensely proud of the committee we put together this year!

    Loren Pawelski BA ’24
    International Affairs
    More about Loren
  • Erika Hutchinson BA '22

    In 2021, Carmen Maria Machado gave a keynote speech for the Gender Studies Symposium. At the time, I was taking fiction writing classes where we read some of her pieces, so it was a wonderful opportunity to listen to an author who I was pretty familiar with.

    Erika Hutchinson BA ’22
    English | Japanese | Fort Collins, Colorado
    More about Erika
  • Cameron posing outside. She is wearing a colorful striped sweater.

    Working on the Gender Studies Symposium has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I feel so lucky to have gotten to play a part in bringing together such a meaningful and informative event.

    Cameron Kalopsis BA ’24
    Sociology and Anthropology | London, Ontario, Canada, and Glendale, California
    More about Cameron