Students step up at Kwantlen’s second annual leadership conference

Kwantlen students had the opportunity to meet and learn from community leaders and professionals at Kwantlen’s second annual Leadership Conference titled “Unleash Your Potential,” held on Jan. 23.

Denny Hollick/The Runner

By Denny Hollick [Co-ordinating Editor]

Kwantlen students had the opportunity to meet and learn from community leaders and professionals at Kwantlen’s second annual Leadership Conference titled “Unleash Your Potential,” held on Jan. 23.

The conference was open to all Kwantlen students and featured 16 different workshops. Keynoting the conference was David Atkinson, Kwantlen President, and renowned speaker, Rick Bains. Some of the topics covered included risk-taking, conflict resolution and work-life balance.

Nearly 130 students attended the conference, along with a handful of volunteers and staff. The purpose of the conference was to gain skills and leadership abilities to help build character and meet with like minded students and industry professionals.
“I found the leadership conference to fill in the missing gaps that I could not find,” said Ryan Keigher, a Kwantlen business student, “The things I never quite understood or never heard before really tapped my senses, and gave insight on how to be a better leader and a better person.”

The full day of seminars also featured a volunteer fair where students could meet with several local organizations to see how they could get more involved in community and Kwantlen events.

“My favourite part was 13 habits of super successful people, but the final keynote speaker, Rick Bains was quite enjoyable,” said Ryan.

Kurt Penner, the director of Student Life and Development and his colleagues plans to continue hosting the conference in the years to come.