Student conference explores resilience

Students will have an opportunity to learn about resilience and hear from keynote speaker Duncan Kirkwood at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) 14th annual Student Conference on Leadership. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Hoag Student Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Kirkwood is a veteran, author, speaker, trainer, and global resilience advocate. His professional life has focused on empowering young people, parents, organizations, and communities.

"It is my passion to help individuals push through their perceived limits to take control of their lives," Kirkwood said. "Learning how to deal with setbacks and failure is something that every successful person must master."

Students who attend the free event will receive breakfast, lunch and other giveaways.

Kirkwood's keynote address is from 10-11 a.m. Breakout sessions will include yoga and mindfulness, vision boarding, and team building. Mallory Rodriguez, UNG's director of student leadership, said these sessions are opportunities to act upon the conference topic.

"We recognize that the past two years have been incredibly difficult. This is a great opportunity for us to learn resilient leadership skills and traits," Rodriguez said. "This is not the only time we will face challenges and roadblocks. We want to equip these students to lead their communities."

Students, faculty, staff and community members also will lead sessions at the event.

As a state-designated leadership institution, UNG strives to enhance students' leadership skills. The annual conference supports that mission by giving all UNG students a chance to learn about leadership and grow as leaders while networking with their peers and distinguished speakers.

Some of the sessions will count toward one of two non-credit, co-curricular certificate programs: one from Student Involvement on leadership and one offered via Multicultural Student Affairs on cultural competence.

Rodriguez is grateful that the conference will return to an in-person format after being held virtually in fall 2020.

"We look forward to students being together in the same place to share their experiences and insights about overcoming obstacles," she said.