National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference

We are excited to host The National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference at Xavier University. View the conference schedule and RSVP below.

This will be the second time Xavier hosts NJSLC since the conference began in 1997 at Regis University. The conference theme is a nod to how many fondly refer to our home in Cincinnati as “The Queen City.” Cincinnati was given this name in the early 19th century as a reference to its prosperity and geographical location between the east and west. Today, locals use this name to reflect a sense of pride in its culture, neighborly atmosphere, and big city amenities.

Conference Information

Conference registration has now CLOSED! We look forward to welcoming everyone in a few short weeks.

Not sure what to bring? See our FAQs section for a suggested packing list and more.

Conference Schedule at a Glance

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Delegation Check-in - Justice Hall Lobby

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Opening Mass - Bellarmine Chapel

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
Opening Banquet - Cintas Conference Center
Save your appetite for this delicious buffet-style dinner prepared for you in the elegant Cintas Duff Banquet Room (located in the Schiff Family Conference Center). Hear from the conference hosts and distinguished guests as you mingle with other delegations.

7:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Advisor Social - Gallagher Student Center Arrupe Overlook
Advisors, this is your chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones! Enjoy a beverage and small plates as you kick off the conference with good vibes and great people.

8:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Welcome Social and Swag Swap - Xavier Yard

Rain location: Gallagher Student Center Ryan’s Landing (Lower Level)

Let’s launch the conference with games, music, and a whole lot of energy. Meet new people, play games, enjoy dessert, and get hyped for the week ahead. Come prepared to trade your school’s merch with other delegates.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast - Hoff Dining Commons

Conference Info Table - Gallagher Student Center 1st floor
Jesuit Higher Education Graduate Programs
JVC & JVC NW Info
Xavier questions

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.
Education Block 1 - various classrooms in Alter Hall

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.* (advisors only)
Advisor Retreat - Gallagher Student Center Arrupe Overlook
Advisors, this retreat is all for you. Join your fellow Advisors and JASPA leadership for meaningful conversations, connection, reflection, and community - plus a delicious lunch just for you.

10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
Education Block 2 - various locations in Alter Hall

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
A Year of Service, A Lifetime of Impact - JVC Northwest & JVC Alumni Panel - Gallagher Student Center Theater
Hear stories and advice from Jesuit Volunteer Corp and Jesuit Volunteer Cort Northwest Alumni. Get a firsthand look at what a postgraduate year of service looks like!

Tess Brewer: was a Jesuit Volunteer in Seattle, WA from 2023-2024. She graduated from the Psychology program at Xavier University in 2023. She served at Community House Mental Health Agency as a Case Aid and spent a year growing in community with other Jesuit Volunteers. After her year out west, Tess moved back to Cincy and now works at UC Health, spending time with older adults in the Memory Care and Brain Health clinic, continuing to channel her passion for community health and wellbeing into her work. She is currently working on a Masters of Public Health at UC (but still a musketeer at heart).
Patrick Reynolds-Berry: was a Jesuit Volunteer in Nicaragua from 2008–2010. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies and later earned both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. Patrick currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, a role he has held since 2020. He joined the organization in 2014 as a bilingual mental health therapist and later served as Case Management Supervisor at Su Casa Hispanic Center and Family Programs Director. In his current role, he oversees initiatives supporting immigrant and refugee communities, families, older adults, individuals experiencing food insecurity, and people seeking mental health services, helping ensure access to essential resources across the community. Patrick lives in Cincinnati with his wife and two children and is a parishioner at Bellarmine Chapel at Xavier University.
Liz Tate:was a Jesuit Volunteer in Los Angeles, CA from 2016-2017. She graduated from the Philosophy, Politics, and the Public program at Xavier University in 2016. During her year of service, she served at St. Joseph Center as a Culinary Training Program Assistant. Liz then moved home to Louisville, KY, first working at a state-run home for teenage girls in foster care before becoming a paralegal at the Legal Aid Society. After seven years doing a variety of civil legal work, Liz decided it was time for law school and started last fall at the University of Louisville.

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Student Lunch - Hoff Dining Commons

1:15 - 2:30 p.m.
Break

2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Leading a Life of Service - Greg Carpinello, Executive Director of JVC Northwest - Gallagher Student Center Theater
Hear from renowned professional and Executive Director of JVC Northwest, Greg Carpinello to unpack how to lead through service!

3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Vocation and Discernment Breakout Workshops - various locations in Gallagher Student Center
Abby King-Kaiser, Director of Recruitment and Engagement at JVC Northwest
Rosalyn Collins, Assistant Director for Vocational Discernment at Xavier University
Emily Ferron, Director of Recruitment at JVC
Caro Woodward, Recruiter at JVC

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own with Your Delegation!
Hungry for a night on the town? Grab dinner with your group and explore The Queen City! Check out our recommended spots for dining in Cincinnati. From famous Cincy-style chili parlors to local food courts, there’s something for every delegation to enjoy! Please arrange your own transportation with your Advisor(s).

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast - Hoff Dining Commons

Conference Info Table - Gallagher Student Center 1st floor
Jesuit Higher Education Graduate Programs
JVC & JVC NW Info
Xavier questions

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
NJSLC Takes Action - various on/off campus sites
please meet for departure outside Hoff Dining near Currito at 8:50am
Ready to lead in service? It’s time to roll up your sleeves and put Jesuit values into action. Please meet outside the Hoff Dining Commons with your full delegation, including Advisor(s), and wear your conference t-shirt.

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch - Hoff Dining Commons

1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Conference Keynote - Damon Jones, CCO at Procter & Gamble - Gallagher Student Center Theater
So, what exactly do our Jesuit values look like beyond college? As a Xavier Alumnus, Xavier Board Member, and Chief Communications Officer at Procter & Gamble Damon D. Jones is here to share his insights about shaping a better society beyond college!

2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Education Block 3 - various classrooms in Alter Hall

3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Break

5:20 p.m.
Bussing departure - outside Hoff Dining near Currito

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Riverboat Dinner Cruise! - sponsored by the Office of the President
Get excited for a night on the water you won't forget. You and the B.B. Riverboat Cruise are going to have quite the sparkling evening on the Ohio River. A view, some friends, a tasty dinner, and a DJ are all you need to have a blast on a night in Cincy.

8am - Light breakfast provided in the hospitality lounge within Justice Hall

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Java with the Jesuits - sponsored by the Division of Mission & Ministry
GSC Arrupe Overlook
Rise and shine for a freshly brewed cup of java! Chat with the Jesuits and seek some wisdom! It’s not every day you get to connect with mentors like these.

Conference Info Table - Gallagher Student Center 1st floor
Jesuit Higher Education Graduate Programs
JVC & JVC NW Info
Xavier questions

10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Education Block 4 - various classrooms in Alter Hall

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Closing Brunch - Cintas Conference Center
Let’s close our time together with one more meetup! Visit the Cintas Duff Banquet Room (located in the Schiff Family Conference Center) for a final meal and some remarks from university leadership as we go forth and set the world on fire until next NJSLC.

Educational Sessions Schedule

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Incorporating Jesuit Values into Your Professional Portfolio

John Silaban, Fordham University
Alter 101

This presentation offers a Jesuit-centric insight into reflecting on the Ignatian values that we align to, and ways to integrate them in reflection-based writing that accompanies the projects we feel best align to our ideals. The intended result is for prospective students to consider evaluating their portfolios within an Ignatian-centered lens.

From Service to Solidarity: Leading with Purpose

Jessica Verdejo, Marquette University
Alter 102

What does it mean to truly serve? This session invites students to move beyond transactional volunteerism and into a deeper understanding of solidarity as a way of life. Rooted in Ignatian values and the call to be "people for and with others," participants will examine the difference between serving at a distance and accompanying communities with humility, presence, and mutuality. Through guided reflection, small group dialogue, and a practical leadership framework, students will leave with renewed clarity on their own call to service and concrete tools for building solidarity-centered programs and communities on their campuses.

Belonging By Design

Sebastian Sencion, Loyola
Alter 103

This interactive session will explore how student leaders can foster a true sense of belonging on Jesuit campuses—not only by welcoming students when they arrive, but by ensuring they feel seen, included, and valued throughout their college experience. Drawing on examples from Loyola University Maryland, including the Evergreen program, Messina first-year groups, Summer Orientation, Fall Welcome Weekend, and student-athlete initiatives, participants will examine how small groups, mentorship, campus traditions, and intentional leadership contribute to a culture of belonging. Students from Jesuit institutions will also have opportunities to share successful practices, discuss common challenges, and learn from one another. Participants will leave with practical strategies and new ideas they can implement on their own campuses to create more inclusive, welcoming, and connected communities.

Be Curious, Not Judgemental: Leading When You Don't Feel Ready

Mason Bader & Elias Donohue, Saint Louis University
Alter 105

Society expects leaders to project confidence and certainty– yet many leaders quietly struggle with imposter syndrome and the fear that they do not truly belong in leadership spaces. This session borrows its title from a line in the television show Ted Lasso– “Be Curious, not judgmental”- recasting leadership as an ongoing practice of curiosity rather than a performative certainty. Hear from two executives from Saint Louis University about how they navigated transitions within SGA and are working to redefine institutional belonging campus-wide.

Community Cultural Wealth: Empowering Marginalized Students

Grace Nguyen, Seattle University
Alter 106

How can we develop empowered communities by incorporating the unique experiences of our marginalized students? Dr. Tara Yosso identifies six types of capital that make up the Community Cultural Wealth framework, highlighting qualities embedded in communities of color. This interactive workshop will encourage leaders to reflect on their personal sources of cultural wealth and how they can uplift the wider community around them.

How to Build Success From Scratch

Vincent Evans-Arlequin, Le Moyne College
Alter 107

Have you ever gotten into a leadership role with no idea what to do, or any blueprint to follow? So have I! Drawing from experience, I'll walk you through exactly how I got through it, from redefining a vague role to helping build a new student government branch from scratch. Come learn how to navigate the unknown, collaborate, and build a lasting foundation!

Influence of Cura Personalis on Jesuit Underrepresented College Students’ Sense of Belonging

Bill Boxdorfer, Saint Louis University
Alter 108

This educational session will discuss a study on how underrepresented college students (n = 10) at Jesuit institutions made meaning of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and how this Jesuit value influenced their sense of belonging.

10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

True Colors In Leadership

Blake Wyatt, Bella Scalfaro, Katie Weimer, Ganza Kim, Xavier University
Alter 101

In this interactive session, participants will complete the True Colors personality assessment and explore how their results translate into effective leadership practices. Through guided reflection, participants will have a deeper understanding of their leadership style and practical tools for applying it in team and organizational settings.

For and With Others: Navigating Social Justice Activism within Jesuit Education

Chloe Wong, Santa Clara University

Alter 102

Join The Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP) to learn how social justice programming has been enacted on Santa Clara University’s campus. SCCAP is SCU’s largest and longest-running student-run service and social justice organization. We will cover two major points: (1) Embodying a Jesuit mission in activism and service and (2) Centering positionality within yourself and your fellow students. We will cover events that SCCAP has done, internal discussions held with our 30 person staff, and ways we’ve uplifted fellow student groups. This session will end in a group discussion/reflection on how participants can utilize their own privileges and opportunities to engage in social justice on their campus, and how they as individuals, organizations, and campuses can continue the necessary work of social justice at Jesuit institutions.

Speak, Listen, Lead

Heather Bishop, Xavier University
Alter 105

Leadership is built on connection, and connection starts with communication. In this engaging session, participants will discover how to communicate more effectively by speaking with intention, listening with empathy, and understanding the impact of verbal, nonverbal, and digital communication. Attendees will develop practical skills to build stronger relationships, navigate misunderstandings, and lead with confidence and authenticity.

Leadership is Relational

Mariah Dern, Xavier University
Alter 106

What does it look like to lead with relationship in mind? We will explore how the counseling field and attachment theory can move you from the leader people "have" to be led by to the leader they "want" to be led by.

MAGIS In Motion - Gaining Momentum through the Unexpected

William Brewer, Xavier University
Alter 107

One constant in life is that the unexpected is always to be expected. Despite this truth, we are often guided by perfectionist and destination-oriented ideas of success. Rather than focusing on these external markers of what we achieve, MAGIS In Motion invites reflection on our diverse experiences. Through this, we will consider how our paths were formed for who we are becoming. Instead of simply strategizing what we will do next, we can discern a path toward the person we are called to become. Through reflection, discernment, and a willingness to embrace failure, we will find personal growth as our compass, guiding us toward unconditional internal success.

The Rambler Brotherhood Project

Nate Gilg, Aldin Kapidzic, Bryce Kiguru, Loyola University Chicago
Alter 108

The Rambler Brotherhood Project was created in response to the staggering difference between men's and women's undergraduate enrollment at LUC (with men making up just 30% of the campus population). The presentation will cover the emergence of the issue, what the program does, who the program includes, and ultimately, how it creates an impact.

The Jesuit Way: Lighting a Path to Build Bridges

Alondra Neves-Alvez & Sienna Flores, Gonzaga University
Alter 103

In this session we will explore the importance of maintaining and building programs of diversity and inclusion at Jesuit institutions. We will discuss student-lived experiences, and how programs that are student centered foster a sense of belonging and cultural capital. Attendees will have the opportunity to dialogue with other students and discern how their Jesuit institution builds bridges of inclusivity amongst their student body.

2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Answering the Call: Service, Leadership, & the Search for Purpose

Jenny Klein, Fordham University

Alter 101

Through stories from emergency medical services, volunteer firefighting, healthcare research, and student leadership, this session explores how meaningful experiences shape our understanding of purpose and calling. Participants will reflect on the people, moments, and challenges that have influenced their own aspirations while considering how service can help reveal a deeper sense of mission.

*This session is designed for students of all interests and career paths, not just those interested in being a first responder or working in healthcare.

What's Next? When Leadership Doesn't Go As Planned

Michael Ritterbeck, The University of Scranton
Alter 102

Student leadership often highlights moments of success, but less attention is given to what happens when things do not go as planned and how that carries into what you do next.

This session looks at those moments more directly. It creates space to reflect on times when something did not work out, how that experience shows up in your involvement and decisions, and what it means to keep showing up as a leader afterward when it would be easier to pull back or move on.

Designing Programs with Purpose: Moving Beyond Just Hosting Events

Alecia Conway, Xavier University
Alter 105

Who are your programs really for? Student organizations often try to create events that appeal to everyone, but "everyone" is not a programming strategy. This session will challenge student leaders to think about their organization’s identity, define their core audience, and create programs with purpose. Participants will walk away with practical approaches to designing events that create meaningful engagement rather than simply filling a room.

Building Community in Your Student Organization

Morgan Ryan, The University of Scranton

Alter 106

This session delves into the importance of building a robust sense of community amongst the members of your student organization and discusses various methods student leaders can put in practice to build a stronger community.

From the Table, Not the Sidelines: Student Government & University Administration Collaboration

Brigid Burke & Tyrae Walker, Xavier University
Alter 107

An important goal of the student government association is to enact effective collaboration between student government and the university administration. This collaboration differs between SGA members depending on specific roles within the organization, such as executive or senator. Therefore, it is important for each member to be informed and educated so they are prepared to collaborate with members of the administration. This requires clear goals and communication and well as an openness to compromise. Approaching this communication proactively and in an intentional way allows for problem-solving partnership and leads to better collaboration in the future.

Examen-ing Student Leadership
Ray Flannery, Xavier University
Alter 108

The 500-year-old Examen is a tool originated by St. Ignatius of Loyola to aid in reflection, and discernment. This session will offer a brief historical overview, then walk participants through a modernized, modified Examen exercise, prompting reflection about what it means to be a student leader through a Jesuit lens.

From Detroit to Your Campus: Campus Conversations on Immigration Enforcement

Amelia Abar, University of Detroit Mercy
Alter 103

“From Detroit to Your Campus” is intended to offer a grounded look at how I.C.E. has shaped student life at the University of Detroit Mercy, and how student leaders have organized in solidarity to support our community. The session outlines key moments over the past year when I.C.E. has impacted our UDM community, and how our administration and ministry have responded, how our students have responded, and how UDM has collaborated with our Detroit community through events, mutual aid, and the development of a rapid-response network in Detroit. The session will also connect it back to why this work means so much to UDM students, and how it reflects Jesuit and Mercy values in action on a daily basis. Concluding the session with tools and strategies to allow attendees to bring these solidarity structures back to their own campuses. It will be led by Amelia Abar (rising sophomore), an activist and organizer in Detroit who has been organizing against I.C.E. during her time at UDM.

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Living the Jesuit Mission: Careers in Student Affairs

Molly Dugan, Xavier University

Alter 101

Conference participants who attend this session will learn pathways to live the Jesuit mission through careers in student affairs/higher education. This session will discuss discerning a path in student affairs and share information specifically about graduate programs in higher education/student affairs at Jesuit institutions. Time for q&a will be included.

Values-Based Decision Making

Rose Walton, Xavier University
Alter 102

What if your toughest choices felt clearer - not because they were easy, but because they were grounded in who you truly are? In this reflective session, you will explore the cycle of decision-making and identify the values that define who you are and the leader you're becoming.

Move-In to Magis: Growth, Grit, & Becoming

Cassie Harvey, College of Holy Cross

Alter 105

Students often arrive on move-in day focused on achievement, belonging, and a touch of uncertainty. By the time you arrive at this conference, you are not the same person. Through challenge, failure, reflection, community, and service, you have grown not only as students, but as human beings. Let's reflect on this together and how your own experience can contribute to your own leadership philosophy and actions.

Inclusion + Impact: Making Leadership Opportunities Equitable and Accessible for All

Bella Scalfaro & Katie Weimer, Xavier University

Alter 106

Join 2 of Xavier's Orientation Interns as they dissect how they curated a team of leaders dedicated to creating a pathway for first-year students.

Jesuit Student Government Alliance (JSGA): Student Representation & Student Advocacy

Tedd Vanadilok, Santa Clara University

Alter 107

Our network of Jesuit colleges and universities is proud to have a Jesuit Student Government Alliance (JSGA) for student body presidents and other leaders. Regardless of whether you are the president or in other positions, all are welcome to learn more about JSGA and also have a free-flowing conversation about a wide variety of topics related to running our student governments and representing the student body on our respective campuses. This session will provide the opportunity to learn from each other, gain ideas and resources, and offer supportive solutions to common issues.

Assertiveness Skills for Student Leaders

Lori Lambert, Xavier University

Alter 108

As a student leader you may need to confront others which may be challenging for you - as it is for many people. If you believe learning a technique to help you be more assertive with all people in your life would be helpful - this is the session for you! Please note: you will be active during this session and participating in front of all other attendees - in a safe environment.

Solidarity Through Sonder

Gabriella Pilat, John Carroll University
Alter 103

What does solidarity really look like? Drawing from an immersion experience at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, this session explores solidarity through the lens of sonder. That is the realization that every person is living a life as complex and meaningful as your own. Through the stories of local historians, participants will encounter two very different expressions of solidarity. One that honors the dignity of forgotten communities from the past and one that accompanies marginalized communities in the present. Through conversation and reflection, students are invited to rethink service and discover new ways to stand with others.