Each conference attendee will attend two breakout sessions. Level-Up breakout sessions are divided into “tracks”. The sessions in each track were curated to align with the information that is most relevant to the target audience for each track. Some breakout sessions are available for multiple tracks. When you select your breakout sessions, please make sure you select a session that aligns with your conference track.
2022 Level-Up Conference Tracks
LEAD Track - Leaders for Education, Advancement & Diversity (LEAD) - 2nd Year Students
Track Description: Enrich scholar's understanding of their collegiate and academic experiences through critical reflection and structured engagement on topics such as personal identity, social justice, and leadership.
Alumni Connections Track – 3rd Year Students
Track Description: A professional networking opportunity for PEOPLE Scholars to learn from the professional and education experiences of PEOPLE Alumni to aid their own post-graduation plans*.
3rd year students first breakout session will be the together. You will select your preferred second session
LINE Track - Leadership in the New Economy – 4+ Year Students
Track Description: Reflect on the state of the global economy and provide scholars with resources, tools, and information to support the transition into the professional work environment.
Breakout Session One
| Track | Session Title | Session Description | Session Presenter | Date/Time of Start (CT) | Duration |
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Applying Health and Wellbeing to Our Leadership | This interactive workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to: 1. Learn about leadership theories associated with health and wellbeing 2. Explore the connection between health, wellbeing, and anti-oppression 3. Reflect on opportunities to build health, wellbeing, and anti-oppression into their leadership practices 4. Identify next steps for their learning and development This workshop will provide introductory definitions of health-oriented leadership and other leadership theories associated with health and wellbeing at work. Additionally, we will explore the link between anti-oppression, systems change, and health as well as how to apply it to our individual leadership. | Anya Piotrowski | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
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BrandYou for College & Career | In a world where it takes just 7 seconds to make a lasting impression, and digital communication is at the core of daily connections, it is more important than ever to BRANDYOU! Personal branding requires authenticity, differentiation, vision, and consistency. | Chelsea C. Williams | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
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SOS I've Been Microaggressed | This session will explore the right themes of microaggressions, provide context for foundations of macro, micro aggressions, and implicit bias. How do these ideals of individual bias play into our everyday worldviews and interactions. The session will cover the different themes and provide steps for how to work through them whether on either side of committing or feeling the act. | Alexandria Gurley | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
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Kickstarting Career Exploration | Career “myth busting.” We will identify and break down commonly held myths about careers. For example, “If I choose to pursue a career in X, then I will be stuck doing that for the rest of my life.” We will share real world examples and data to dispel these career myths. Career exploration tools and resources. | Michelle Jackson; Rebecca Bradbury | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
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Self-Care is Not Cancelled: Cultivating Wellness & Adjusting for Uncertainty | Participants in this workshop will learn how to best practice self-care as we navigate these challenging times. Self-care is always important, but now more than ever, it is critical. Whether you are trying to build or maintain a routine for self-care, this workshop will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need. | Dr. Theresa Melito-Conners, PhD | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
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Mitigating the Impact of the Quarter Life Crisis | Compare and contrast perception with reality. Students will be able to evaluate some perceptions of how a recent graduate can “check all the boxes” when it comes to obtaining a degree, securing a job/post studies program, and still have missing to deal with ambiguity in life (e.g. student loan repayment, family responsibilities, acclimation to a new location, maintaining and creating new friendships/relationships). Students will learn about how graduates from underrepresented backgrounds coped with the Quarter Life Crisis stage of their lives. They will hear how shifting priorities in adulting, relationships and reaching goals transpired during the first few years of panelist post grad life. | Kurt D. Rose; Jennifer Horace; Brittany Lee; Kyree Brooks; Walter Williams; Keiva Coppage Aranda; Tracy Duval | 10:45 - 11:40 AM | 50 Minutes |
Breakout Session Two
| Tracks | Session Title | Session Description | Session Presenter | Date/Time of Start (CT) | Duration |
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Telling Your Story: What’s Your “Pitch”? | As you work to develop connections and build your network, which is one of the primary ways people find jobs, telling your story in a compelling way can make all the difference. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to reflect on who you are, what you value, and what you’re good at, then create, deliver, and get feedback on your “pitch.” | Sarah Hallas | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Personal & Professional Alignment of Principles & Practices | Participants will learn specific strategies and philosophies that encourage one to cultivate and maintain a through-line between one's principles & actions. | Gestina Tiffany Howard | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Alumni A: Graduate School/Education | Connect with program alumni in this industry. Hear their experinces and ask questions about working in this field, from applying for the job in this industry to the first 90 days. | Ashanti Rogers; Lenai Johnson; Karma Palzom-Pasha; Jonas Gomez Tijerino | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Alumni B: Media, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Multidisciplinary | Connect with program alumni in this industry. Hear their experinces and ask questions about working in this field, from applying for the job in this industry to the first 90 days. | Martinez White; Donale Richards; Eric Upchurch; L. Malik Anderson | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Alumni C: Health, Human Services, Research | Connect with program alumni in this industry. Hear their experinces and ask questions about working in this field, from applying for the job in this industry to the first 90 days. | Annie Tran; Katelynn Healey; Nancy Gomez; Alicia Clausel | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Alumni D: Law, Nonprofit, Government | Connect with program alumni in this industry. Hear their experinces and ask questions about working in this field, from applying for the job in this industry to the first 90 days. | Alma Sida Ontiveros; Shavonyuette Dotson; Megan Diaz-Ricks | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Alumni E: Science, Technology | Connect with program alumni in this industry. Hear their experinces and ask questions about working in this field, from applying for the job in this industry to the first 90 days. | Coty Weathersby; Bryan Suzan; Luis Jorge Contreras Guzman | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Personal Statement Workshop | Developing a personal narrative shaped by values and interests can help students position themselves as strong potential candidates for jobs, graduate school, and other future opportunities. Since everyone has a range of diverse, unique, and broad life experiences to draw from, crafting that narrative can be overwhelming. Our presentation and workshop will provide students with tips on how to approach these narratives and a space to put these techniques into action. | Carley Gomez; Lauren Anderson; Gabrielle Kelenyi | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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Adulting: Being In Alignment with Your Values | Presenter will encourage students to reflect on what students hope for in their post-college lives related to lifestyle, career, workplace culture, relationships, etc. and give time for students to identify key personal values and assess alignment between hopes and values. Students will also consider who is a part of and how to build a Community of Support as they step out of college, and we'll frame that as how they can stay grounded in their values as they relate to their hopes for the future. A key intention of the workshop is to consider career development more holistically than simply getting to the next step in the process, rather thinking more broadly about what is the life I want and who do I want in it. | Hannah Hatlan-Atwell | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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LAUNCH: 3 Steps to a Conscious Career | This highly engaging program is designed to empower professionals to be in the driver’s seat of their careers by making intentional decisions by asking intentional questions! Participants will understand how to pursue conscious careers, by committing to three essentials: self-awareness, life-long learning, and accountability. Program Objectives: 1.) Understand what it means to pursue a conscious career 2.) Gain tools to be in the driver’s seat of career by asking the right questions 3.) Discover how to amplify self awareness, incorporate life-long learning, and center accountability as three essential pillars in career growth and fulfillment | Chelsea C. Williams | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |
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This Too Shall Pass: Stress Management and Resilience | Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list? Dread and avoid most tasks? Or over-extend and exhaust yourself? This workshop will provide a brief overview of stress management and building resilience in the academic context, including considerations for marginalized groups. A list of mental health and academic resources will also be provided. | Zoua Lor; Zubin DeVitre | 12:30 - 1:20 PM | 50 Minutes |