A&M International To Host Student Leadership Conference

One hundred students from Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will meet in Laredo Aug. 17 - 19 for a three-day leadership conference hosted by A&M International.

The event, the Third Annual South Texas Leadership Conference, will give A&M International's student leaders an opportunity to meet with their counterparts from other south Texas A&M System campuses, explained Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of Student Development at A&M International.

"The goal of this Conference is to prepare students to take an active leadership role on their campus and in their community. Conference participants will be provided with a unique opportunity to share positive leadership experiences. The Conference will also provide these future leaders with an opportunity to nurture and develop skills that will help to inform their lives and future careers," Mendoza said.

She added that the Conference will enhance the students' classroom preparation and will better equip them for the real challenges of a changing world.

"Conferences such as this help to underscore the University's commitment to augmenting superior classroom education by exposing students to additional learning opportunities not conventionally available to most students," said Mendoza.

A&M International was instrumental in establishing the Conference and has participated in the annual event since its inception in 1997. The Conference rotates from campus to campus each year. This is the first year it has been hosted by A&M International.

Facilitators for the event include Mendoza, David VerMilyea, Director of Student Development, Viky Garcia, Director of Career Planning and Placement, and Arturo Sanchez III, 1998-1999 Student Government Association president.

The Conference will include presentations by student affairs officers and students from the three participating universities.

Among the topics to be presented are "What is Leadership," "Conflict Resolution," "Communication and Effective Listening," "Motivation," "Time and Stress Management," "Officer Transitions," "Goal Setting," "Recruitment and Retention," "Running a Meeting," and "Diversity."

The Conference will also include special presentations by two guest speakers. State Representative Dr. Henry Cuellar will address Conference participants at a dinner at the Executive Club Aug. 17. Dr. Rick Rigsby, president of Impact Communications, founder of Cornerstone Ministries, and faculty with the Department of Speech Communication at Texas A&M University, will address the group in the University's Great Room at 1 p.m. Aug. 18.

For additional information on the Third Annual South Texas Leadership Conference, please contact Mendoza at 326 -2280 or visit the Office of Student Development located in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building, Room 107. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu