Penn State DuBois students build leadership skills at summer conference

DuBOIS, Pa. — Nine Penn State DuBois students joined student leaders from across the University for the 2026 Summer Leadership Conference, held Aug. 4-6 at Penn State Berks.

The three-day conference provided students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, build relationships with fellow students and explore ideas they can bring back to their campuses and student organizations. Through keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions and small-group activities, participants explored topics centered on leadership, personal growth and building stronger communities.

Representing Penn State DuBois at the conference were Sara Boland, Emily Bennett, Isabella DeBlasio, Logan Conner, Maggie Mahle, Jacob Newcamp, Alex Ross, Tytus Troup and Westin Youngdahl. The students were accompanied by Alaina Shaffer, assistant director of student development at Penn State DuBois, and Rebecca Pennington, director of student affairs at Penn State DuBois.

Throughout the conference, students participated in Discovery Group sessions designed to provide opportunities for interaction with students beyond their own campuses, as well as educational breakout sessions and keynote presentations. The experience also emphasized themes of dignity, belonging and community, encouraging students to consider not only how they lead, but how they treat themselves and others.

For Newcamp, one of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the opportunity to learn alongside students with different experiences and perspectives from across Penn State.

“The Summer Leadership Conference was an experience that allowed us students to come together and learn about ourselves through each other,” Newcamp said. “The whole trip was an opportunity to go out and expand our thinking about both our leadership skills and our relationships with a diverse cast of students beyond our own campuses. This conference is what you make of it, so if you're willing, go out and connect with new people and continue to learn more about yourself in the process.”

Those ideas of personal growth and compassion also were reflected in the conference's keynote programming. Matt Kovatchis presented a keynote titled “Stop Beating Yourself Up,” challenging students to consider how they treat themselves and others and encouraging them to approach both with compassion and dignity.

The conference schedule included additional educational breakout sessions and Discovery Group meetings throughout the three-day program, along with a closing keynote presented by Dan Murphy.

Opportunities for students to connect continued outside the conference's formal sessions. Recreational and wellness activities were offered throughout the three days, giving participants additional ways to meet students from other campuses and build a sense of community. Activities included yoga, bingo, karaoke, arts and crafts, an ice cream social and other wellness opportunities.

Youngdahl said the combination of leadership development and opportunities to meet new people made attending the conference a valuable experience.

“It was a lot of fun,” Youngdahl said. “I was able to learn so many things about my leadership that I didn’t know that I had. I was also given the opportunity to meet new people that will eventually help me with my extracurricular activities. I am very glad that I decided to go.”

Shaffer said seeing the DuBois students engage with the conference and with student leaders from throughout Penn State was an important part of the experience.

“The Summer Leadership Conference gave our students an opportunity to step outside of their everyday experiences, connect with student leaders from across Penn State and learn more about themselves along the way,” Shaffer said. “It was wonderful to see them embrace the experience, build new relationships and think about how they can continue growing as leaders. The themes of dignity, belonging and community really resonated throughout the conference, and I think those are lessons our students can carry with them well beyond these three days.”

The Summer Leadership Conference brings together student leaders from Penn State campuses to develop leadership skills, make connections and learn from experiences and perspectives beyond their own campus communities. The 2026 conference was held Aug. 4-6 at Penn State Berks and included three days of keynote presentations, educational sessions, Discovery Groups and community-building activities.