The Office of Student Engagement and the School of Business and Professional Studies hosted the fourth annual Leadership Conference on Oct. 18 at the Cartersville campus, promoting entrepreneurial and administrative skills through accomplished leaders in various fields.
Students and community members attended to learn from faculty and guest speakers on topics such as expanding professional skill sets, financial management, honing leadership qualities and honing leadership qualities, with a focus on business, education and science.
Former GHC communications professor Alexandra Reiter, co-owner of Renegade Lemonade, served as the keynote speaker, sharing insights on how entrepreneurs can achieve success by honing important traits.
Keynote speaker Alexandra Reiter playing her video presentation on her wine, Renegade Lemonade.
“Stay focused and understand that you’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot, and you’re going to have to be comfortable with that,” Reiter said. “Remember, the best part is that you get to start fresh the next day, just like President Hobbs said, be comfortable with being uncomfortable, as it’s the only way you’re going to grow.”
Business student Paola Reyes said of the panel, “It was the way she put herself at the same level I am that made me feel comfortable and made me think, ‘Well, if she did it, I can do it.’”
Other notable speakers included Dr. Nikki Adeniyi, Ashely Sutton, Caitlin Duncan, Tonesha Smith, Shatara S. Clark and Nancy Grimm. Faculty members also shared their knowledge and experiences, including Joy Hambrick, Dr. Oris Guillaume, Andy Borg, Annette Maddox and Dr. Jed Guillespie.
From left to right: Nikki Adeniyi, Shatara Clark, Shanika Wright Turner, Tonesha Smith and Ashley Sutton.
“Being a leader means to me being consistent, showing up when you’re supposed to, being vigilant and following through,” Clark said following her session, “LEAP: Take the Risk.” “I think students should follow that model of following through, showing up, calling people back—just being someone who’s dependable.”
When asked about her takeaways from Clark’s session, business administration healthcare management student Courtney Munford said, “Taking the leap, being prepared to try new things to get ourselves to where we want to be, networking with great people and positioning ourselves for the programs we’re looking for.”
The day concluded with an all-women panel discussing their unique journeys to success and how students and others might replicate this in their own lives.
