VIU Students Aim for Connection with Youth Leadership Conference

The Vancouver Island Leadership Conference happens Friday, April 1 to Saturday, April 2, 2022 at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre and the Vancouver Island Conference Centre

Dozens of emerging leaders will gather for two days of keynote talks, career advice and fun activities during the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference April 1-2.

An annual event organized by Vancouver Island University (VIU) students, this year’s conference theme is Leading the Future Together – a theme that conference Chairperson Victoria Ross says reflects on the benefits of returning to an in-person conference after two years of virtual events.

“The conference is about bringing connections back for post-secondary students,” she says. “The physical and social connection aspects of life in a virtual environment were extremely challenging for many people. We are looking forward to making new memories, new friendships and engaging students in meaningful dialogue with our speakers. My overall hope is that delegates leave the two-day event feeling inspired and passionate about one new thing.”

The conference includes 11 different speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Olympic athlete Lanni Marchant, author and TEDx speaker Nelson Soh, and Paul Underhill, founder of Rumble Supershake. It also includes a career expo and numerous activities students can get involved in, including yoga, meditation, journaling, foraging, dragon boating and a visit to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) for a guided cultural tour and a traditional cedar workshop.

During the career expo, students will receive a networking box that includes business cards, job/volunteer opportunities and pamphlets from participating businesses and organizations. Attendees will also have the chance to win tuition credits by entering their reflections on what they’ve learned, seen and done into an online workbook, and if they are VIU students, they will be able to receive credits towards their Co-Curricular Record  – a non-academic transcript the recognizes paid and volunteer experiences and employability skills. This non-academic transcript can be forwarded to employers or other institutions. Non-VIU students will receive a certificate of completion.

“Students of all ages are welcome to attend as well as staff or faculty,” says Ross. “We are proud to showcase what the Nanaimo community has to offer and it’s not too late for local businesses to participate. Students who attend the conference can expect to network with other students and speakers, enter to win tuition credits at an institution of their choosing, immerse themselves in out-of-the-ordinary experiences, gain co-curricular credits and develop their leadership skills.”

The conference is supported by VIU’s Office of Co-Curricular Engagement & Learning. To learn more and view the event schedule, visit the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference homepage.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 

Jenn McGarrigle, External Communications Manager, Vancouver Island University

C: 250.619.6860 | E: jenn.mcgarrigle@viu.ca