2025 Monarchs Leadership Conference

Welcome & Introduction begins at 10:45am:
Dr. Brandi Hephner LaBanc, Vice President for Student Engagement & Enrollment Services (SEES)

Ever faced a challenge as a student at but didn’t know where to start to address it? Felt overwhelmed, nervous, terrified, or unsure how to move forward? This workshop is for you. Join us to hear real stories of resilience from fellow ODU students, explore the power of a growth mindset, and leave with practical steps to address your needs as a student through self-advocacy. Faculty and staff will also gain insights on small, impactful ways to support students, helping them turn doubt into confidence. Let’s navigate the mess together and find solutions that work for you through self-advocacy!

Facilitators:
Emily Harmon - Academic Counselor - TRiO Student Support Services.
Isaac Krapah - Graduate Student (pursuing Master’s degree in Cybersecurity )
Christina Kurtz - Undergraduate Student (Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Geography).

This session will introduce the concept of "working learner," highlighting the idea of gaining practical skills and knowledge through real-world work experiences, bridging the gap between campus involvement and professional aspirations by aligning their experiences with the eight NACE Career Competencies. By the end of this session, students will be guided through an analysis of their current leadership roles and experiences to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), providing insights to shape their future leadership development and career path.

Facilitators
Anna Ryan Robertson - MS. Project Manager, FWS Internship Program. Center for Career and Leadership Development
Jamari Cooper - Graduate Student (pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling at Old Dominion University.)

Volunteering and serving other people/animals is very important for personal development and is very helpful when developing one's leadership skills. I would like to express the importance of this to others. After a brief discussion about how fulfilling volunteering is, we will use scrap fabric that we will provide to cut up and make into dog toys for local animal shelters. Making one toy takes approximately 10 minutes or less.

Facilitators:
Karson McHendry - Senior, Biology Major
Deborah Waller - Associate Professor, Biological Sciences

This session is aimed to guide students on effective study strategies while ensuring they maintain a healthy balance with other important aspects of their lives, such as friendships, mental and physical well-being, and professional networking. Hopefully participants will leave with valuable study tips and practical advice on prioritizing their mental health, even during challenging times, all while maximizing their collegiate experience.

Facilitators
Roberta Heggie - Former High School English Teacher.
Erika Adu - Undergraduate Student (civil engineering , ODU).

Success isn’t built overnight—it’s the result of small, consistent actions that compound over time. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the power of micro-habits and how they can help you thrive both academically and personally. From productivity hacks and mindset shifts to wellness strategies and leadership development, you’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-implement habits that create lasting impact. Whether you're looking to improve focus, manage stress, or become a more effective leader, this session will equip you with the tools to unlock your full potential.

Facilitators:
Seth Smith- Undergraduate Student, Senior studying Economics and Management
Holden Shank- Undergraduate Student, Sophomore studying Recreational therapy with a minor in Psychology

Are you ready to maximize your campus leadership experience and confidently transition into your professional career? Join us for an inspiring and practical 50-minute panel discussion featuring current student leaders and successful alumni. Learn how to leverage your campus engagement to prepare for early career opportunities, gain clarity about your passions, and align your goals with your desired lifestyle.

Through real-life stories and actionable insights, this session will help you navigate the journey from campus to career with purpose and confidence.

What to Expect:

Student Leaders: Hear firsthand how current student leaders manage their campus engagement, prioritize well-being, and build skills that align with career aspirations.
Alumni Perspectives: Gain valuable insights from alumni about overcoming misconceptions, managing transitions, and utilizing campus experiences to thrive in corporate and professional environments.

Facilitators
Omotomilola Jegede - Doctoral Candidate (Health Services Research, ODU).
Dallas Slaughter - Undergraduate student (Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, ODU).
Amber Thichangthong - Executive Director of Women in Chemicals.
Kaylen Otey - Undergraduate Student (Bachelor of Arts and Letters in Criminal Justice, ODU).
Ann Jones- Director Cyber Security.

This presentation will explore how crafting a clear and compelling personal introduction helps to demonstrate career-readiness capabilities and elevate one’s professional brand. An effective elevator pitch enables individuals to convey their unique skills and strengths in a succinct way, essential in multimodal workplaces and networking opportunities. Attendees will learn strategies for developing a versatile pitch that resonates across both face-to-face and digital platforms, adapting for LinkedIn bios, virtual networking events, and spontaneous conversations. With the need to demonstrate digital literacy and professional skills, understanding how to integrate technology in personal branding becomes critical to reach diverse, digitally-savvy audiences. This session will emphasize the value of tailoring language, tone, and key points to build a memorable impression.

In this session, participants will explore how data shapes decision-making in leadership, develop comfort with analyzing and interpreting numbers and learn some basic Microsoft Excel skills that could be useful in their leadership journey.

**This session will be happening with Zoom as the primary method of instruction. The Virginia Rice Webb room will be provided as a space to stream; however, it is encouraged that participants are logged onto the Zoom call.

Facilitators:
Alison Lietzenmayer - Communication Instructor.

How can social media help with telling your story? A professional social media presence, either for an individual or an office/department, can be essential for information-sharing and aligning messaging with your intended audience. In this session, we will focus on the journey of the New to Blue and CORE Instagram. The Center for Orientation, Retention, and Exploration will share their experience with creating content, as well as experience helping connect the wider orientation team with different campus partners and incoming students. We will also share our updated Instagram metrics, as well as insight from our assessment, showing the impact that social media is having on the current first-year class at ODU.

Facilitators
Cassie McGhee - Interim Assistant Director of Orientation (CORE)
Tiana Weatherly - Undergraduate Student(Urban Planning and Emergency/Hazards Management), Member New to Blue (CORE)

This 50-minute interactive workshop explores the transformative impact of art as a leisure activity on the mental health and well-being of leaders. Drawing from Laura Ellingson’s conceptual framework of crystallization, we delve into how artwork serves as a multifaceted medium for self-expression, storytelling, and resilience. Through showcasing art pieces created by leaders and scholars, we will discuss how art reflects individual identities and the influence of communities on who we are. Participants will engage in a reflective art exercise to create their own visual narratives, fostering connection, creativity, and a renewed perspective on leadership. This session will inspire participants to embrace art not just as leisure but as a powerful act of resistance, reflection, and renewal in their leadership journeys.

Facilitators
Rowan Williams - Doctoral candidate (Education and Professional Studies, ODU).
Dejaune (Deja) Thompson - Undergraduate Student (pursuing Psychology, ODU).

In today’s society we live in a fast-paced, constantly developing world. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, and burnt out. Whether it is the pressures of undergraduate academics, transitioning and navigating new professional roles, or managing personal responsibilities, mental well-being is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. “Burn Bright, Not Out” is not only about identifying stressors, but providing practical tools and strategies to manage stress, reduce burnout, and build resilience. This presentation will contain actionable insights to empower students to thrive during challenging times, stay mentally strong, achieve balance, and prevent burnout.

Facilitators:
Steven Gunzelman - Health Educator from ODU Recreation and Wellness' Health Promotion office.
Shasa-Gay Clarke - Graduate assistant for Health Promotion.

This session would be centered around excellence in communication. How is it that some leaders seem to be more skilled at navigating even the most difficult conversations with positive results? Whether it's a conversation with a colleague or client, professor or partner, asking the right questions leads to better outcomes for all involved. This is the leadership communication 101 class everyone needs. Relevant for those leading now and those who aspire to become great leaders. Educational, engaging, and immediately applicable in life, university, and the workplace.

Facilitators
Brittany Mitchell - Community Faculty Relationship Specialist.

This session will highlight the overlap between the neurodivergent and LGBT+ communities and the common communication barriers that they face. Join us for interactive activities that will allow you to learn first-hand about these barriers and discuss effective communication strategies.

Facilitators
Mallory Fields - Graduate Student(Master's in Higher Education, ODU).
Adam Mandell - Undergraduate Student (Psychology, ODU).

This session will dive into how passion and purpose can fuel leadership and entrepreneurship. Through relatable stories and actionable advice, attendees will learn how to create meaningful change, overcome challenges, and turn their values into action. It's all about embracing leadership roles with confidence and authenticity.

Facilitators
Megan Riggs - Entrepreneur

Patricia Schiaffini-Vedani, Director of International Collaborations Scott Berlin, Assistant Director of International Collaborations.
Alexia Wolf, BS in Biology and a Japanese minor. She has done extensive research in Oceanography, part of which was conducted in Ireland during her study abroad semester.

Facilitators
Patricia Schiaffini-Vedani - Director of International Collaborations.
Scott Berlin - Assistant Director of International Collaborations.
Alexia Wolff - BS in Biology and a Japanese minor.