College of Education and Human Development

1,700 Prince William County Students Attend Leadership Conference on Mason Campus

More than 1,700 Prince William County middle and high school students participated in an annual Student Leadership Conference today at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on George Mason University's Science and Technology Campus. 

The day-long event is designed to inspire students to seek out and accept leadership responsibilities. The conference, with a theme of "Igniting the Spark, Focusing the Flame," features keynote speakers and more than 40 breakout sessions.

“This is a phenomenal event that we proudly co-sponsor each year,” says Ellen D. Rodgers, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. “It brings high potential Prince William County students to campus for a fulfilling day focused on their future as emerging leaders, collaborative citizens, and contributors to society.”

 

The Student Leadership Conference brought more than 1,700 middle and high school students to the Hylton Performing Arts Center for a day focused on their potential. In attendance were Steven Walts, superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS); Mark R. Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University; and Ellen D. Rodgers, associate dean.

 

Students who hold nominated leadership positions in school organizations and clubs or who exhibit leadership qualities are invited to attend the conference by their school counselors. The event “sells out” each year.

This year's conference focused on effective leadership traits adapted from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. Students could choose from many practical, up-to-the-minute, and relevant sessions including:

• How to Be the Leader Colleges Want
• Leveraging and Managing High Performance Teams Through Emotional Intelligence
• The International Edge in Every Job: An Asset for Career Success!
• Finding True Success
• Black Male and Hispanic Male Achievement: Getting To and Through College
• Safe Dates - How Would You Like To Be Treated?
• Tolerance, Diversity, and Anti-Bias Leadership
• Are You Leading or Nah
• Building Trust: Do I Know You?
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in Action

"I am proud to recognize and congratulate you on your achievements as students and leaders in one of the finest public school systems in the entire United States," said Mark R. Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, in his opening remarks to the students.

"You are leaders today and will be leaders tomorrow. You will change the world and help make it a better place," he said. "It is an awesome responsibility and an even more awesome opportunity."

The event is coordinated by Maria Burgos-Singleton, supervisor of Global Learning and Culturally Responsive Instruction at PWCS and a graduate of the Education Leadership program at George Mason.

 

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For additional information:

• CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
• Graduate School of Education: gse.gmu.edu
• School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism: rht.gmu.edu

About the college:

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE, and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, D.C., is Virginia's largest public research university.

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