Ready to lead with purpose on campus, in your community, and across the globe?
Join us for the Global Leadership Conference, an inspiring, interactive event designed to help students, alumni, and community members grow as confident, culturally aware leaders. Through dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and thought-provoking workshops, you'll explore how leadership starts locally and scales globally.
Under the theme “Leadership Here and Beyond: Exploring Your Impact from Campus to the World,” this conference will equip you with practical strategies to build your leadership toolkit, connect you with mentors and peers, and help you discover opportunities to lead at Lenoir-Rhyne—and beyond. Whether you're just beginning your leadership journey or looking to expand your impact, this conference will leave you inspired, empowered, and ready to take action.
Join us for the Global Leadership Conference, an inspiring, interactive event designed to help students, alumni, and community members grow as confident, culturally aware leaders. Through dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and thought-provoking workshops, you'll explore how leadership starts locally and scales globally.
Under the theme “Leadership Here and Beyond: Exploring Your Impact from Campus to the World,” this conference will equip you with practical strategies to build your leadership toolkit, connect you with mentors and peers, and help you discover opportunities to lead at Lenoir-Rhyne—and beyond. Whether you're just beginning your leadership journey or looking to expand your impact, this conference will leave you inspired, empowered, and ready to take action.
Location
Lenoir-Rhyne University
McCrorie Building
McCrorie Building
Date & Time
September 20, 2025, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Voices that Lead - Featured Speakers
We are honored to welcome Dr. Summer McGee, president of Lenoir-Rhyne University, as our opening keynote speaker. During lunch, Christina M. Walker, PhD, assistant professor of leadership, will lead Culture Shock: Cracking the Code of Organizational Culture, an interactive workshop on understanding and navigating different workplace cultures. These accomplished leaders will share inspiring perspectives and practical tools to energize and empower participants.
Dr. Summer McGee
President
Dr. Summer McGee became the 13th president of Lenoir-Rhyne University on July 1, 2025, making history as the first woman to lead the institution in its 134 years. Formerly president of Salem Academy and College, she drove record enrollment growth, launched new academic and athletic programs, and strengthened financial health. A scholar of health policy and bioethics, McGee has been featured in major national media and is an award-winning professor recognized for excellence in teaching and leadership. She previously served as founding dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven and holds a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Christina Walker
Associate Professor
Dr. Christina Walker is an associate professor of leadership and program coordinator for the Master of Arts in Leadership at Lenoir-Rhyne University. A former commercial banking officer, pastor, and entrepreneur, she now combines her corporate, ministry, and academic experience to help individuals and teams strengthen leadership skills, navigate change, and foster diversity and inclusion. Walker is a leadership consultant with Tall Trees Global Consulting, a Fetzer Institute/Academy of Management Scholar, and co-author of the award-winning article Black Mothers at Work (2022).
Schedule
Conference sessions are organized around four core themes. 🌍 Global Growth & Study Abroad highlights how international experiences expand perspectives, build resilience, and shape stronger leaders. 💼 Professional Development & Career Prep equips students with the tools to succeed in local and global workplaces, from professional presence to communication and career readiness. ⭐ Leadership & Influence explores how to inspire, guide, and make an impact—whether or not you hold a formal leadership title. Finally, ✨ Identity, Purpose & Reflection focuses on values, purpose, and self-discovery as the foundation of authentic leadership. During the concurrent block sessions, participants are invited to build their own path by choosing the sessions that inspire them most and align with their personal interests and leadership journey.
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Welcome & Check-in
Kick off your conference experience with a warm welcome (and warm biscuits!). Stop by the Welcome Table to check in and pick up your conference tote bag—complete with your badge, LR swag, and a complimentary copy of Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek. Thanks to our partnership with Waffle House, fresh biscuits will be served on-site for attendees to enjoy as you settle in, explore the space, and connect with fellow participants before the Opening Keynote.
📸 Need a professional headshot? We’ve got you covered! Stop by the Career & Professional Development Center's table during check-in to get a free headshot taken.
📸 Need a professional headshot? We’ve got you covered! Stop by the Career & Professional Development Center's table during check-in to get a free headshot taken.
10:30AM - 10:55AM
Opening Keynote
We begin the Global Leadership Conference with a keynote address from President McGee. Her remarks will open the day with insights on leadership, vision, and the role each of us can play in making a positive impact. This opening will set the stage for a day of reflection, dialogue, and action.
11:00AM - 11:30AM
Concurrent Session Block 1
🌍 ⭐ Opportunities in Model United Nations: Spring in Spain! - Eric Schramm & Deborah Hollingsworth (LRU Faculty)
Explore how participating in Model United Nations can enhance your public speaking, negotiation, and leadership skills while connecting with peers from around the world. Hear from students and faculty about upcoming opportunities, including November’s Southern Regional Model UN (SRMUN) in Atlanta and MUNUSAL at the University of Salamanca, Spain, in April.
💼 🌍 Professional Presence – Matthew Borlik & Ashley Witherspoon (CEA CAPA)
Build skills for success in local and global internships, from cross-cultural communication to workplace etiquette and hierarchy, so you can make a lasting first impression.
⭐ ✨ Leading from Your Core: Embracing Who You Are to Lead with Fulfillment – Diego Sanjuan (LRU Staff/Graduate Student/Alumnus)
Explore the connection between purpose, values, and leadership. Gain tools for vocational discernment, self-reflection, and the often-overlooked skill of followership.
Explore how participating in Model United Nations can enhance your public speaking, negotiation, and leadership skills while connecting with peers from around the world. Hear from students and faculty about upcoming opportunities, including November’s Southern Regional Model UN (SRMUN) in Atlanta and MUNUSAL at the University of Salamanca, Spain, in April.
💼 🌍 Professional Presence – Matthew Borlik & Ashley Witherspoon (CEA CAPA)
Build skills for success in local and global internships, from cross-cultural communication to workplace etiquette and hierarchy, so you can make a lasting first impression.
⭐ ✨ Leading from Your Core: Embracing Who You Are to Lead with Fulfillment – Diego Sanjuan (LRU Staff/Graduate Student/Alumnus)
Explore the connection between purpose, values, and leadership. Gain tools for vocational discernment, self-reflection, and the often-overlooked skill of followership.
11:35AM - 12:05PM
Concurrent Session Block 2
🌍 💼 Unlock Your Global Adventure – Melanie Mora (LRU Alumna/Graduate Student)
Learn how one student fully funded a study abroad experience in South Korea through the Gilman Scholarship and other awards. Get step-by-step tips for applications, finding multiple funding sources, and making global opportunities financially possible.
⭐ ✨ Rooted in Resilience, Driven by Purpose: Redefining the Leadership Path – Stephanie Roberts (LRU Staff/Graduate Student)
Explore how a non-traditional path to leadership can foster adaptability, resilience, and purpose. Discover the strengths of being a generalist and the power of finding your “why.”
✨ ⭐ Ubuntu: I Am Because You Are, You Are Because We Are – Carlos Rubio (LRU Staff)
Reflect on the power of community, shared values, and collective effort in leadership. Learn how caring for others and embracing a shared vision can lead to fulfillment and lasting impact.
Learn how one student fully funded a study abroad experience in South Korea through the Gilman Scholarship and other awards. Get step-by-step tips for applications, finding multiple funding sources, and making global opportunities financially possible.
⭐ ✨ Rooted in Resilience, Driven by Purpose: Redefining the Leadership Path – Stephanie Roberts (LRU Staff/Graduate Student)
Explore how a non-traditional path to leadership can foster adaptability, resilience, and purpose. Discover the strengths of being a generalist and the power of finding your “why.”
✨ ⭐ Ubuntu: I Am Because You Are, You Are Because We Are – Carlos Rubio (LRU Staff)
Reflect on the power of community, shared values, and collective effort in leadership. Learn how caring for others and embracing a shared vision can lead to fulfillment and lasting impact.
12:10PM - 1:30PM
Lunch Block with Speaker & Workshop
During lunch, Christina M. Walker, PhD, assistant professor of leadership, will lead Culture Shock: Cracking the Code of Organizational Culture. Every organization—whether a university club, a sports team, a start-up, or a global corporation—has its own unique “vibe.” That vibe is shaped by organizational culture, influencing how people collaborate, make decisions, and achieve goals. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Walker will share strategies for recognizing different types of organizational culture and adapting to them, equipping you with practical tools to navigate challenges, build stronger relationships, and succeed in any environment.
Following Dr. Walker’s session, Katie Wohlman, Director of Career and Professional Development, will lead Be the CEO of You, Inc.: Build Your Board of Directors, a hands-on workshop designed to help you take charge of your personal and professional growth by assembling a supportive network to guide and champion your journey.
Following Dr. Walker’s session, Katie Wohlman, Director of Career and Professional Development, will lead Be the CEO of You, Inc.: Build Your Board of Directors, a hands-on workshop designed to help you take charge of your personal and professional growth by assembling a supportive network to guide and champion your journey.
1:35 PM - 2:30PM
Concurrent Session Block 3 - Leadership Snapshots
During this high-energy concurrent session block, students will share 15-minute presentations that spotlight key moments, projects, and lessons from their leadership experiences. These snapshots offer a unique opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives in a short time frame. Move between sessions that speak to your interests and walk away with fresh ideas, inspiration, and practical insights you can apply to your own leadership journey.
💼 🌍 From South Korea to Global Ambitions: A Shift in My Leadership and Career Vision – Melanie Mora
Hear how one student fully funded a study abroad experience in South Korea through scholarships, including the Gilman International Scholarship. Learn how living and studying in Seoul shaped her leadership skills, challenged her perspectives, and inspired new global career goals.
⭐ 💼 The Power of Influence: Leading Without Authority – Scarlett Brinkley
Discover how to inspire and motivate others even without a formal leadership title. Explore strategies for building trust, persuading effectively, and collaborating toward shared goals.
🌍 ⭐ Studying Abroad in Barcelona, Spain – Anna Russell
Discover how studying abroad can expand your communication skills, build professionalism, and deepen your appreciation for other cultures. Hear how living in Barcelona pushed Anna to step outside her comfort zone and gain experiences that continue to shape her academic and professional journey.
⭐ 🌍 Passport to Leadership: How Experiences Abroad Shape Who We Are and How We Lead – Enrica Favaron
See how stepping outside your comfort zone—such as interning abroad—can reveal your strengths and shape your leadership style. Learn from a real-life project challenge and the lessons it taught about responsibility, resilience, and growth.
🌍 Social Customs in Different Hispanic Cultures – Alex Gray & Sofia Ulanday
Learn how adapting to different cultural norms while abroad can make you more flexible, open-minded, and skilled in navigating diverse environments—both overseas and back home.
💼 🌍 From South Korea to Global Ambitions: A Shift in My Leadership and Career Vision – Melanie Mora
Hear how one student fully funded a study abroad experience in South Korea through scholarships, including the Gilman International Scholarship. Learn how living and studying in Seoul shaped her leadership skills, challenged her perspectives, and inspired new global career goals.
⭐ 💼 The Power of Influence: Leading Without Authority – Scarlett Brinkley
Discover how to inspire and motivate others even without a formal leadership title. Explore strategies for building trust, persuading effectively, and collaborating toward shared goals.
🌍 ⭐ Studying Abroad in Barcelona, Spain – Anna Russell
Discover how studying abroad can expand your communication skills, build professionalism, and deepen your appreciation for other cultures. Hear how living in Barcelona pushed Anna to step outside her comfort zone and gain experiences that continue to shape her academic and professional journey.
⭐ 🌍 Passport to Leadership: How Experiences Abroad Shape Who We Are and How We Lead – Enrica Favaron
See how stepping outside your comfort zone—such as interning abroad—can reveal your strengths and shape your leadership style. Learn from a real-life project challenge and the lessons it taught about responsibility, resilience, and growth.
🌍 Social Customs in Different Hispanic Cultures – Alex Gray & Sofia Ulanday
Learn how adapting to different cultural norms while abroad can make you more flexible, open-minded, and skilled in navigating diverse environments—both overseas and back home.
1:35 PM - 3:00PM
Expo Hall / Networking / Closing & Raffle
The Expo Hall opens at 1:35 p.m., giving attendees the flexibility to browse booths, connect with exhibitors, and continue networking. You may also choose to attend sessions during this time. An informal “Debrief with the Dean” will take place as Dean Titus mingles throughout the Expo Hall, engaging with participants.
At 2:45 p.m., join us in the Fintel Room for the conference closing remarks and raffle drawing.
At 2:45 p.m., join us in the Fintel Room for the conference closing remarks and raffle drawing.
Put Your Leadership Into Action!
Following the conference, students are invited to join a community litter cleanup event in Hickory’s Ridgeview neighborhood, organized in partnership with the City of Hickory’s University City Commission and the Litter Quitter program. This event brings together students from App State, CVCC, and Lenoir-Rhyne to work toward a shared goal of improving the local environment.
All supplies including gloves, bags, and refreshments will be provided. Transportation from campus is available for students who need it. The volunteer cleanup will take place from 3:00–5:00pm with departure from campus at the McCrorie Center at 3pm.
After volunteering, participants can enjoy the free Sails Concert Series at Taft Broome Park featuring Selwyn Birchwood, with free food truck vouchers offered as a thank-you for their service. Students can elect to join this event during conference registration.
All supplies including gloves, bags, and refreshments will be provided. Transportation from campus is available for students who need it. The volunteer cleanup will take place from 3:00–5:00pm with departure from campus at the McCrorie Center at 3pm.
After volunteering, participants can enjoy the free Sails Concert Series at Taft Broome Park featuring Selwyn Birchwood, with free food truck vouchers offered as a thank-you for their service. Students can elect to join this event during conference registration.
Join us on September 20, 2025!
