LEADS Conference

Join us in 2026 for our annual LEADS Conference. 

LEADS Conference

LEADS 2026

Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

NJIT Main Campus, Central King Building  | Free for all registered NJIT students 

Registration opens February 4, 2026, at 10 AM and closes March 2, 2026, at noon. 
Space is limited to 150 participants! 

What is LEADS? What are the pillars that will be covered at this conference? 

Elevate your potential at the annual Leads Conference, the premier event for leadership development at NJIT. Join us for a single, impactful day packed with diverse skill-building sessions. You will learn and grow through interactive presentations, engaging case studies, and valuable networking opportunities. Best of all, participants will walk away with a digital badge, a verifiable micro-credential that powerfully demonstrates their strong leadership skills to prospective employers. 

This year, the conference centers  on four core areas of  modern leadership: 

  • Critical Thinking: where students will analyze complex problems and formulate well-supported arguments 
  • Career and Self-Development: where students will craft effective personal brands and refine networking strategies
  • Leadership Development: where students will practice effective delegation and motivate diverse teams 
  • Civil Discourse: where students will navigate challenging conversations and engage respectfully with differing perspectives

Why should I attend? What do I walk away with? 

This conference is more than just a resume booster—it’s a chance to invest in your future. Participants earn three digital badges while building in-demand, transferable skills that employers actively look for in college graduates. You’ll have the opportunity to network directly with industry professionals and expert presenters—connections that are rarely accessible outside of a conference setting.

You’ll also connect with recent alumni from our institution who are now working in leading industries, gaining real insight into career paths, graduate school, and navigating the workforce. Beyond that, you’ll collaborate and network with like-minded students from diverse majors and academic levels, creating a strong professional community rooted in shared experiences.

Walk away with practical skills, meaningful connections, and concrete experiences you can confidently talk about in your next internship or job interview.

How do I register? How do I learn more? 

Sign up for our mailing list to get up-to-date updates, tips about the conference, and priority registration. 

Below are our expectations for presenters and an overview of the proposal process.

  1. Review Conference Competencies and Learning Outcomes
    Before selecting a presentation topic, please carefully review the attached competencies, focus areas, and expected learning outcomes. These should guide your selection of the area your presentation will address.
     
  2. Align Your Presentation With Learning Outcomes
    Once you have selected an area, thoughtfully consider the specific learning outcomes your workshop will support. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how participants will gain relevant skills and knowledge.
     
  3. Proposal Submission Requirements
    As part of the proposal process, presenters will be asked to submit the following:
    • Workshop title
    • Abstract (this will be shared with participants and included in the conference schedule if selected)
    • Clearly defined learning outcomes
    • Professional headshot
    • LinkedIn profile link (to allow attendees to connect with and learn more about presenters before and after the workshop)
       
  4. Selection Process
    All submitted materials will be reviewed by the conference committee and will serve as the sole basis for presentation selection. For this reason, we encourage you to be thorough, clear, and intentional in your proposal.
     
  5. Presentation Approach
    We value your expertise and professional experience and encourage presentations that thoughtfully integrate those strengths with relevant data, research, and practical resources. Our goal is to ensure students leave each session with actionable skills and knowledge that align with the core purpose of the conference.

Competencies and areas 
View the full list of competencies and areas as well as the expected learning outcomes here.

Want a printable one-page graphic of everything you need? Click here!

Please come back for the full schedule!

Featured Speakers

2025: Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost for Continued Learning 

2024: Casey Coleman, Assistant Director for Student Involvement at Montclair State University 

2024: Kerolos Rophail, Executive Director at Empire Beauty School

2024: Robert Serrani, Marketing and Communication Coordinator at Montclair State University 

2024: Kimberly Alfonso, Wellness Coordinator at Boys & Girl Club of Newark

2021: Dr. John E. Gray, Professor at Stockton University & co-Founder of Empowerment Matters, LLC

2020:  T.J. Sullivan, Partner and Vice President of Sales for ForCollegeForLife

2019:  Harlan Cohen, a New York Times Bestselling Author

2018:  Lawrese Brown, Founder of C-Track