Clark State Community College will host a Student Leadership Summit on Friday, September 23. Nearly 500 student leaders have been invited to participate in the Summit which is being offered for the first time.

Nina Wiley, dean of enrollment for Clark State, said the Student Leadership Summit stemmed from an idea to have Student Ambassadors and Student Senators participate in an interactive session with administration. “Student involvement or association with a particular group qualified them to be invited to the summit,” she said. “Students vary in their experiences and leadership qualities. We are providing the platform to bring the leaders together and further develop their skills. Their potential is endless.”

Wiley said the Summit will provide a great opportunity for Clark State administration to network and connect one-on-one with student leaders. Students involved in various campus programs and organizations were invited to participate, including: Athletics, Police Cadets, Diversity Student Group, Epsilon Pi Tau, Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, Physical Therapist Assistant Club, Student Senate, Student Ambassadors, Tutors, Veterans and Work Study.

Clark State alumnus Cecil Pratt will attend the Leadership Summit. He holds an Associate of Science degree and has returned to Clark State to take additional classes to transfer. Pratt is currently serving as an Admissions work study and previously served as Student Senate president. “I’m looking for new information and techniques to apply in the classroom and working life,” he said.

Clark State President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin will welcome the students. Session topics include Leadership: Habits and Attitudes, Diversity and Dialogue and Interpersonal Conversations. Students participating in the Summit can expect a myriad of outcomes including identifying and reflecting upon their comfort levels in diverse situations.

“We are excited to assist in the development of our student leaders,” said Wiley. “The Student Leadership Summit offers an opportunity for our students to build a community of leaders through conversation and positively impact our campuses as ethical, diverse and socially responsible leaders.”

The Student Leadership Summit will begin at 9 a.m. in the LRC building on the Leffel Lane campus in Springfield.