Embedded Files
IU Student Leadership Conference
IU Student Leadership Conference
Drs. Smith & Ross Welcoming the Group
Full Group Session
Mentoring Services & Leadership Development
First Year & Family Experience Programs
The Hidden Curriculum
The Hidden Curriculum
Session Dr. Ross led
Session at-a-glance
Session at-a-glance
Breakout session
SP26 MSLD IU Student Leadership Conference booklet (1).pdf2026 IU Student Leadership Conference: Handout
2026 IU Student Leadership Conference: Handout
The Indiana University Student Leadership Conference is an annual statewide summit that unites student leaders and scholars from all nine IU campuses. More than just a meeting, it serves as a high-impact incubator for students to collaborate, share perspectives, and refine their leadership capabilities.
Conference Theme: "Elements of Empowerment"
Conference Theme: "Elements of Empowerment"
This year’s focus, “Elements of Empowerment: Unlocking the Leader Within You,” shifts the definition of leadership away from titles and toward personal development. The conference operates on the belief that leadership is a toolkit of specific "elements" that every student can identify and master to drive change.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
In a university system as large as Indiana University, this conference bridges the gap between campuses—from Gary to New Albany. It provides a rare opportunity for coalition building, allowing students to form peer relationships that transcend geography and create a unified, powerful voice for the IU student body.
Student Experience Conference
Student Experience Conference
Recap
Recap
On April 16, 2026, at the Indiana Memorial Union, we gathered for the 2026 Student Experience Conference, and the energy in the room was a powerful reminder of what happens when we lead with intentionality and heart. While the day was packed with sessions across our three tracks of Assessment, Student Engagement, and Institutional Strategy, the real impact lived in the breakthrough realizations and the new bridges built between campuses from across the state.
Dr. Leonard Taylor delivered a keynote that perfectly set the stage for a day of innovation and candid conversations. We dove deep into the complex needs of today's learners, moving past traditional models to redesign how we approach campus culture, belonging, and the overall value of the student journey.
Watching colleagues leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh motivation to elevate the evolving student experience made every bit of the planning worth it. It was more than just a series of presentations; it was a space where we broke down silos and created meaningful connections that will support our students from enrollment through graduation.
A huge thank you goes out to the entire team for pouring your souls into this work. To Taylor Cook, your operational excellence behind the scenes was outstanding, ensuring everything ran seamlessly. The future of the student journey is brighter because of the dialogue and collaboration we shared. We are truly Enhancing the Evolving Student Experience!
Operational Excellence
Operational Excellence
The team responsible for ensuring that realizations and new bridges were built between campuses across the state
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Leonard Taylor, our keynote wanted every attendee to leave with the thought: There is no Student Success without value.
Keynote & Committee Chair
Keynote & Committee Chair
Drs. Ross (chair) and Taylor (keynote), after his fiery keynote, posed outside of the auditorium, further discussing the VALUE that we must ensure our students receive
The Committee
The Committee
This conference was made possible due to the work of this team, consisting of leaders from Undergraduate Education, Enrollment Management, and Student Life
IU East Business students - Innovate to Educate led by Prof Scales
Vice Chancellor, Dr. Lamar Hylton, welcomed all to Indiana University
The lunch hour gave colleagues a moment to refuel and network
Prof Scales talked infusing fun into the classroom for retention & learning
Post Conference Survey 2026
Post Conference Survey 2026
These slides share the post-conference survey from 103 respondents indicates that the event was a resounding success, praised for its inclusive atmosphere, helpful guides, and the popular "potato bar" luncheon. Participants highlighted the value of connecting with statewide colleagues and the intentional focus on enhancing undergraduate academic experiences and student wellness. While the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, attendees suggested improvements for future events, such as implementing longer sessions to avoid rushing content, providing clearer communication regarding the daily schedule, and adding a formal closing keynote to wrap up the day. Looking forward, the team is already utilizing this data to transition into 2027 planning, which includes proposals for a Guidebook App and an updated timeline.
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