Leadership ConferenceThe Leadership Conference aims to help AISES student members develop leadership skills and introduces them to a network of corporate mentors and professionals. The conference also prepares the students to become active, knowledgeable leaders for the Indian community and to serve as mentors for younger students. 2008 Leadership ConferenceFebruary 21-23, 2008
This year’s conference was developed to provide opportunities for participants to enhance their personal leadership skills and to strengthen their AISES Chapters. On Friday, students participated in sessions that offered an opportunity to strengthen their resumes and statements of purpose and put together a packet of strong letters of recommendation, gained practical tips in managing their finances as college students, develop their skills as mentors, coaches and leaders in their college and home communities and interacted with other participants to identify 10 key principles for being an effective leader. As part of the new partnership developed between AISES and UNITY, Inc., the Life 101 session was scheduled to be the first of a series of webinars offered to AISES student members, college chapters and professionals. However, due to technical difficulties, only a portion of the session was webcasted. During Friday’s lunch at the 2008 Leadership Conference, Google Inc., addressed the audience with concerns about the extreme shortage of qualified Native American scientists and engineers. Google also announced their new partnership with the AISES and unveiled the new AISES Google Academic and Travel Scholarship Programs. Google has established an annual scholarship program providing scholarships of $10,000 each for 20 students pursuing degrees in computer science, computer engineering and related fields. The program is designed to provide comprehensive scholarship support to students that intend to pursue careers in the growing realm of information technology. Google will also fund travel scholarships of $1,500 for ten students annually to access the network of professionals and development opportunities available via participation in AISES’ annual National Conference. The Conference brings together more than 2,000 American Indian and Alaska Natives in science, technology, engineering, and math. The 2008 AISES National Conference will be in Anaheim, CA, October 30 – November 1. Chapter Development was the focus for Saturday’s Agenda. Students were presented with new chapter reporting processes that were recently implemented by the AISES Student Representatives. Representatives from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Stanford University shared their chapter’s “best practices” in the areas of Recruitment and Retention and Fundraising. Both Chapters were recipients of the AISES Chapter of the Year Awards. The Regional Conference 101 session offered chapters with the tools to plan and host an AISES Regional Conference. Saturday’s session agenda ended with the unveiling of the new AISES Chapter Award Program. Chapters now have the opportunity to apply for category awards. AISES will no longer offer a separate application process for the Chapter of the Year Award. Saturday’s lunch included a presentation by Peter McGrath from Disney’s Imagineering. Mr. McGrath’s presentation highlighted various opportunities at Imagineering offered to students majoring in engineering disciplines. Lorena Hegdal, 2007 AISES Professional of Year Recipient, provided the keynote speech during the Closing Banquet. She encouraged the students to be leaders with integrity. She provided the students a real look into leadership by telling her story; from where she comes to her daily tasks as a director. As a special treat, Lorena shared a slide show highlighting the beauty and wildlife of Alaska. AISES Improv Night was a huge success. This was an op tional entertainment activity for students to participate in. It included students doing impromptu skits to music, themes or mystery bags filled with household junk. All participants from our volunteer Master of Ceremony, Allen Demaray; our “American Idol” judges Dale Rimmey, Lockheed Martin; Dave Burris, CIA; and Tony Ferguson, 3M and the students displayed their sense of humor and amazing talents. AISES would like to extend its sincere thanks to the following organizations for their sponsorships at time of printing. Excellence Sponsors: Success Sponsor: Other Sponsors (Donation of Prizes): Thank you to the following individuals for their presentations: GRAD Lab Part 2 Life 101
2007 Leadership ConferenceAll Our Relations AISES would like to extend its sincere thanks to the following organizations for their sponsorship. Excellence Sponsors:3M Corporation Success Sponsors:Intel Corporation ParticipantsThe Conference was well-attended, with interest in this small retreat-like event growing every year. A total of 109 individuals participated in the 2007 Leadership Conference. Students representing 25 colleges and universities attended. In addition to the chapter participants, the conference brought together AISES Elders, Board, Staff, Student Representatives and Speakers. The Conference offered high-quality, specially designed sessions, intended to provide a multi-faceted perspective on personal, career, and leadership development. Speakers and PresentersAISES thanks the following individuals for their participation: Show Me The Money! Defining Leadership Lunch Presentation – Graduate Horizons Getting Ready for Advanced Degrees (GRAD) Lab Just Move It! Teams Achieving Goals How Many Bears Can Live in This Forest? Lunch Presentation - Exploring the MBA Relationship Building Resumes in a Digital Age Chapter Development
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