Level Up 2024

Presented by Cory Sprinkel

Enacting the change we hope to see in our society will take much more than the leadership of a few exemplary individuals. Today’s leaders must understand how to collaborate with large and diverse groups of stakeholders, as well as develop a critical lens that allows for us to cultivate more equitable ad impactful systems. Furthermore, they must understand how to tap into existing efforts and partner with those already pursuing change in their own communities. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore aspects of leadership that are essential to working with communities, such as humility, self-awareness, and communication.

Presented by Kevon Williams, Brittany Howell, Danyelle Okesando, & Natalie Rivera

A workshop focused on underrepresented students’ management of distress and limiting beliefs. Here, we intend to address:

• Stress, imposter feelings, and other limiting beliefs
• Specific narratives that might exacerbate those for historically underrepresented students (e.g. racism/classism/sexism, generational guilt, etc.)
• How these factors affect our wellness and development

Presented by Pa Houa Xiong 

You may have heard that graduating and securing a paying job is the starting point for building your financial future; however, wouldn’t you want to start now knowing the the decisions you’re making today will have long-term impact on your financial future? Making sound financial decisions starts with an understanding and application of essential financial knowledge and skills. Join this session to increase your awareness of financial wellness topics like credit management, saving and building your assets, and managing your spending habits, and leave the session with financial life skills that you ca use immediately to reach your financial goals.

Presented by Lauralee Berry Norton, Kristina Vack, Paige Lapoint, & Tera Holtz

Join a team of academic and career advisors from CALS Academic Affairs as we discuss the transformative power of leadership positions in student organizations and how to leverage these experiences as you apply to internships and post-grad careers. This session is for current and aspiring student org leaders!

Presented by Seth Dubinsky 

By participating in this interactive presentation, you will learn about the most in-demand transferable skills and make connections between your experiences both in and outside of the classroom and related transferable skills. You’ll also learn how to analyze a job description to identify and articulate transferable skills based on employer needs.

Presented by Alex Seidenstricker, Kristin Armstrong, & Jon Hetzel

By participating in this interactive presentation, you will learn about the most in-demand transferable skills and make connections between your experiences both in and outside of the classroom and related transferable skills. You’ll also learn how to analyze a job description to identify and articulate transferable skills based on employer needs.

Presented by Claire Peters

In this exploratory and interactive session, the Career Exploration Center will guide students through several exercises focused on how one’s interests, skills, and values should align with your major and your career paths. Students will learn that major does not equal your destiny and many learning paths can take you to multiple careers. Through seeing different majors that align with careers that may surprise you to reflecting on who you are and all the things you can become. This discussion is great for students exploring careers.

Presented by Carl D. Greer & Cynthia (Mapenzi) Simekha

Are you thinking of applying to graduate school? Don’t know what graduate school is? Pursuing an advanced degree is a massive step in one’s academic career. Crafting your path to graduate school and beyond can be overwhelming. Individuals may have different reasons for attending graduate school including gaining professional skills and qualifications, increasing salary potential, growing a professional network, or pure curiosity, and contributing to society’s current knowledge.

Presented by Mo O’Connor, Angela Norris, Amy Rivera, & David Wright-Racette

Learning outcomes include:

• Students gain confidence in knowing what questions to ask themselves when deciding if and where they want to go to graduate school
• Students gain knowledge on how graduate students fund their degrees and funding options available to them
• Students gain clarity on the graduate school admissions processes

Topics covered could include:

• Why you should (or should not) apply to graduate school
• Should I take a gap year (or two)?
• Finding the right program fit
• Funding your graduate school experience
• Asking for letters of recommendation
• Writing a strong personal statement

Presented by Emma Hinker

In this session students will learn and understand the differences between the medical doctors/doctor of osteopathic medicine (MD/DO), physician assistant/associate (PR), and nurse practitioner (NP). These differences include scope and area of practice, education, financial considerations, and medical settings in which each profession can be found.

Additionally, students will learn about financial considerations and planning when it comes to professional schooling as well as strategies for maximizing your financial resources when planning for further education. Lastly, students will be introduced to the Physician Assistant Program that is offered through UW-Madison to display an option for students to pursue at their own campus.

Presented by Mr.Thomas Browne & Dr. Matthew F. Warren

In different settings, whether it be during an interview process or just engaging in introductions for networking and relationships building purposes, we have heard people express the sentiment. ” I just don’t feel comfortable talking about myself.” Regardless of a person’s stance with humility, self-advocacy is a necessary skill in academic and professional environments if one wants to thrive in an increasingly competitive and polarized world. This session will empower attendees with strategies to overcome code-switching, explore and embrace their identity characteristics, and assess strengths and weaknesses. Attendees will also learn the importance of creating their own personal brand to establish uniqueness and provide clarity to how one presents themselves to the world.

Presented by Kevon Williams, Brittany Howell, Danyelle Okesando, & Natalie Rivera

A panel with mental health professionals to demystify the process of accessing therapy, support understanding of how therapy may support student’s development, allow students to seek insights from professionals   about professional development, and ultimately humanize clinicians for those considering therapy.

Presented by Samina Rogers-Hussain

The proposed workshop aims to empower students in the PEOPLE, and Mercile J Lee Scholars programs who are also actively involved in sororities and fraternities. This small-group session will provide them with invaluable insights and strategies to effectively transfer the skills and experiences gained through their involvement in Greek life to their resumes and the professional world after graduation.

Presented by Don Gillian-Daniel, Gabriel Mayas-Caban, & Annabeth Thomas

Being a student is challenging enough without being made to feel like you don’t belong or can’t cut it academically. In this hands-on workshop, participants will engage in experiential activities to explore their own cultural wealth and practice how to interrupt bias and micro-aggressions.

Presented by Chundou Her

This restorative justice session is first and foremost a space of healing for students who have experienced harm in STEM education regardless of how “successful” they are perceived. This includes micro aggressions, experiencing racism, sexism, homophobia, and other attacks on the bias of identity; as well as the general sense of imposter syndrome and/or not belonging that many minority students feel in STEM spaces.

Presented by Ryan Bouchard 

In this interactive dialogue, students will hear about how their current campus involvement and leadership connects to their future career goals, no matter what they are doing. Students will be guided through a series of activities with their fellow peers, where they can reflect on what they are learning and giving currently on campus as leaders and how critical these experiences are to their career path. From goal setting to learning what employers’ today are looking for, students will see how important their leadership really is beyond just today.

This session will be comprised of the following films:

• The Heartland (2022)
• Black Strings (2023)
• Special Work in Progress

Presented by Don Gillian-Daniel, Gabriel Mayas-Caban, & Annabeth Thomas

Being a student is challenging enough without being made to feel like you don’t belong or can’t cut it academically. In this hands-on workshop, participants will engage in experiential activities to explore their own cultural wealth and practice how to interrupt bias and micro-aggressions.

Presented by Pa Houa Xiong 

You may have heard that graduating and securing a paying job is the starting point for building your financial future; however, wouldn’t you want to start now knowing the the decisions you’re making today will have long-term impact on your financial future? Making sound financial decisions starts with an understanding and application of essential financial knowledge and skills. Join this session to increase your awareness of financial wellness topics like credit management, saving and building your assets, and managing your spending habits, and leave the session with financial life skills that you ca use immediately to reach your financial goals.

Presented by Chundou Her

This restorative justice session is first and foremost a space of healing for students who have experienced harm in STEM education regardless of how “successful” they are perceived. This includes micro aggressions, experiencing racism, sexism, homophobia, and other attacks on the bias of identity; as well as the general sense of imposter syndrome and/or not belonging that many minority students feel in STEM spaces.

Presented by José Luis Ramirez Jr.

This training is designed to guide students in organizing their transition out of their leadership role. Incorporating reflection, it aims to assist student leaders in handing down their institutional knowledge to their successor. It will provide a suggested guideline for an electronic transition binder that can serve as a reference for incoming leaders.

Presented by PEOPLE & MJLSP Alumni

Thinking about work life after college? Join PEOPLE and Mercile J Lee alumni who will share their career experiences and advice for you to take now to prepare for post-grad life. This is an opportunity to ask questions about their career paths and lessons learned.

Panelists:

• Lauren Anderson – Posse Advisor
• Alonso Del Rio – Software Engineer
• Savanna Sun – Success Coach

Presented by Amy Boy & Dr. Jennifer Coonen

By participating in this interactive presentation, you will learn about the most in-demand transferable skills and make connections between your experiences both in and outside of the classroom and related transferable skills. You’ll also learn how to analyze a job description to identify and articulate transferable skills based on employer needs.

Presented by David Randolph, Emily Faultersack, Carley Gomez, Danet Mitchell, & Molly Reinhard 

Pursuing graduate school, health professional programs, and law school is complete. The journey can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes leave students feeling unsure of themselves or behind (you’re not behind!). Join UHS and the Centers for Pre-Health & Pre-Law Advising (CPHR/CPLR), aka Pre-Professional Advising to:

• Connect and build community with other students pursuing graduate programs
• Reflect on your personal values, needs, and goals
• Identify concrete ways to prioritize your well-being throughout undergrad & beyond
• Learn about key campus resources dedicated to supporting you along the way including CPHR, CPLA, McNair Scholars, and more!

This session will be comprised of the following films:

• The Heartland (2022)
• Black Strings (2023)
• Special Work in Progress