Ithaca College

Six Ithaca College student leaders were selected to attend the 2018 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) held May 30-June 2 in College Park, MD. The focus is on women’s leadership issues from a broad range of speakers, including internationally known activists, politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, and scientists.

Travel to this conference was supported by the David and Peggy Williams Endowment for Women's Student Leadership. The conference is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and Peggy Ryan Williams is currently the AAUW Board Vice Chair.

The following Ithaca College attendees were among over 750 students selected to attend the NCCWSL from colleges and universities across the United States:

Jessica Competiello, Integrated Marketing and Communications, class of 2020, Student Consultants for Non-profit Organizations member & Leadership Academy for student athletes

Tara Griffiths, Exercise Science, class of 2021, Leadership Scholar & Coxswain for IC Men's Rowing Team

Janie Kleinberg, Athletic Training, class of 2019, Orientation Leader &Teaching Assistant

Magdalena Kwasnica, Business Administration, class of 2020, Vice President - Residence Hall Association & Fundraising Chair - Ping Pong Club

Melanie Lota, Vocal Performance and Music Education, class of 2020, Co-President of Healing Through Musical Companionship & SERV Chair of Mu Phi Epsilon

Lauren Suna, Emerging Media, class of 2020, Women in Computing: President & VIC Radio: Webmaster

The students intend to be leaders in their respective fields and plan to use the information that they learned at the conference to enhance their student leadership positions on campus. After the conference, one of the IC students summed up her experience with this reflection:

"What an awesome and empowering few days! The workshops I attended taught me the importance of local government and that constituents can greatly influence a vote, how the healthcare system is failing women in the United States, and the importance of amplifying women's voices in the workplace. I absolutely loved the speakers, Vlora Citaku and Tarana Burke. Both shared messages of building relationships, supporting other women, and pushing forward in the face of adversity. I am feeling ready to take on the world! "

The Office of Student Engagement is proud to have coordinated this opportunity for students since 2009, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these women leaders!