Third-year science student Muiz Demilade Adebayo
As we look ahead to this year’s Student Leadership Conference, we checked in with computer science and psychology student Muiz Demilade Adebayo, one of the student leaders behind this year’s conference. We asked Demilade, who has spent his last three years at Saint Mary’s getting deeply involved in our community, what leadership means to him.
“It can mean having the ability to inspire others around you to be their best selves and achieve their full potential,” he says.
And the Student Leadership Conference, now taking place on Saturday, March 19, hopes to do just that—inspire students with a full day of discussions, panels, and workshops. At the conference, students will explore what leadership means to them, and gain tangible takeaways to strengthen their own leadership skills.
“Everyone will use leadership skills at some point,” says Demilade. “It’s best to learn about leadership skills and explore the leadership styles that fit you best now. That way, you’re ready for when you can put your leadership skills into practice.”
At the conference, students will kickoff the leadership conversation with speakers including Tom Brophy, Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs and Services). Then students will join keynote speaker Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Associate Vice-President (Diversity Excellence), to explore what leadership looks like in practice. Next, students will take part in one of three concurrent sessions to sharpen their own leadership skills.
Leadership starts, says Demilade with listening to and learning from others. From being a Pack Leader and a Student Life Coordinator in Student Affairs and Services, to volunteering across campus, Demilade has always sought new opportunities to learn.
“I want to build my experience,” says Demilade of his volunteer work on and off campus. “I also want to socialize with people from different backgrounds, while learning from them.”
And what is the most important skill a leader can have?
“Empathy,” Demilade shares. “Leadership is broad and different, and there are lots of things a person can do to exhibit the signs of a leader. But leadership works best when we pay attention to the needs of people around us and support what works for them.”
Saint Mary’s students can sign up now for the Student Leadership Conference. To find out what happens at the conference, stay up-to-date with Saint Mary’s Student Life on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.