This past weekend, Assistant Vice President of Student Life Joe Bruner, Associate Professor of Education Dr. Brittany Worthen and all seven members of the Executive Cabinet (EC) took a trip to Washington D.C. for a weekend-long leadership conference. The National Student Leadership Forum is for the next generation of leaders–those who are currently in college and want to hone in their gifts in order to lead and serve others.
The forum began in 1983, but this is the first time that EC has been back in 12 years, and it is the first time that Asbury has sponsored the trip. “This is the pilot,” EC Treasurer Caleb Cleveland described it. “If it goes well, it’s going to become a tradition for Asbury students.”
Student Body President Zach Fazio’s goal coming into office on campus was to lean into student development, especially for student leaders.
“The goal is to turn it into something that’s not just for student government, but something for all student leaders on the campus,” Fazio said. “Hopefully, the next step is to be able to create some way where we can raise funding so we can send student leaders from all around campus to go to this conference.”
Members of Congress and other government figures host and speak at the conference, including leaders like former U.S. President Barack Obama, former Vice President Al Gore, various U.S. congressman and leaders from different organizations. Though speakers give their personal experience and leadership anecdotes, there is also a focus on significant historic leaders such as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus.
This year, speakers like Bec Heinrich, Wilson Smith and Cathy Loerzel presented to the hundreds of college students present.
“The conference is centered around understanding your identity, purpose and relationships around you and how to be mindful of each other to grow as a leader,” Elizabeth Bramer, EC Vice President of Clubs and Congress, said. “Conversations this weekend were geared towards engaging with each of these areas and refining our ideas and truths as they pertain to student leadership.”
The conference included activities like breakout sessions, small group-oriented meetings and panel discussions. Outside of the forum, EC, Bruner and Worthen were able to visit significant sites like the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol.
The group returned safely to campus Sunday night and look forward to future opportunities to grow in their leadership.
