More Than 1,000 High School Students Attend USU Leadership Conference
July 2, 2019
The 2019 Utah State University Leadership Conference (USULC) was attended by 1,059 high school students (a 26% increase in attendance from 2018). Last year 836 attended. To accommodate the increased interest, the USU Office of Admissions offered two separate sessions: June 10-13 and June 17-20.
Ranging from ninth to twelfth grade, student body and class officers attended one of the four-day events learning leadership skills and to make plans for their upcoming year in government.
“Many of these students leave having their first two to three months of their upcoming school year planned out,” said Katie Jo North, director of the Office of Admissions. “These students are the major influencers of their high schools and they left the conference loving USU.”
A total of 44 Utah and Idaho high schools attended, including schools as far away as Snow Canyon High School from St. George and Soda Springs High School from Idaho. The conference offered leadership workshops and round tables, networking opportunities, keynote speakers and school planning time. There were fun activities planned every day, like doing the ropes course, game nights, school spirit competitions, and a dance.
According to North, the high school students are able to take that same enthusiasm and Aggie pride back to their high schools. “Their excitement is contagious and will carry into the beginning of their next school year.”
Ambassadors, recruiters, and other USU student leaders helped with the event, mentoring the high school students to achieve better results as leaders in their respective schools.