Student Leadership Conference keynote to be both thought provoking and entertaining

Have you ever attended a conference where the guest speaker juggles and does magic?

Joel Hilchey is no ordinary presenter. This year’s Student Leadership Conference, taking place on January 10, will feature Hilchey as the keynote speaker.

A leadership specialist, his background is in engineering physics from McMaster University and environmental engineering from University of Toronto. Founder of the Beanstalk Project, an educational program focused on empowering students to reach their full potential and contribute to a better world; Hilchey speaks to students about taking risks, leading with integrity and appreciating your power. Hilchey works as a sessional instructor and course development specialist at McMaster.

In addition to Hilchey’s keynote address, the conference includes 30 workshops facilitated by McMaster faculty, staff and students. “There is plenty of diversity in the selection of workshops that cater to new and experienced leaders, all with the overriding theme of teaching students to think about how to affect change,” said Jeremy Sandor, student development manager, Student Success Centre.

Sandor will be facilitating the workshop, Student Affairs 101. “We want to engage and encourage students to consider working at the University in order to raise and bring a new generation of students into the Student Affairs profession.”

Student Affairs 101 workshop panelists include:
– Sean Van Koughnett, Associate Vice President (Students and Learning) and Dean of Students
– Debbie Marinoff-Shupe, Manager, Recreation Services for McMaster Athletics & Recreation
– Kevin Beatty, Residence Life Coordinator for McMaster Housing & Conference Services
– Maria White, Assistant Dean (Studies) for Faculty of Engineering

The Student Leadership Conference is offered by the Student Success Centre in partnership with Residence Life, McMaster Athletics & Recreation and the MSU. The theme of this year’s conference is Stepping Out, challenging students to move beyond their comfort zone to learn, grow and affect positive change. Registration is open on OSCARplus.