The Leadership Summit: Proposal Submission Form
Submission Tips and Tricks
Before You Submit!
Start with why: Before you dive into the details, think about why your session matters. What leadership lesson, idea, or skill will participants walk away with? Framing your session around a clear purpose sets the tone for everything else.
Write a clear, engaging title: Your session title is the first thing people will see. Make it memorable, descriptive, and inviting. Aim for something that sparks curiosity while clearly indicating the topic.
Focus your abstract/description: Explain what participants can expect. Outline the flow of your session, the topics you’ll explore, and the type of engagement involved (presentation, workshop, discussion, etc.). Avoid jargon and write like you’re speaking directly to students and professionals.
Define learning outcomes: Learning outcomes are short, action-oriented statements describing what participants will know, do, or feel by the end of your session. (Example: “Participants will be able to identify three ways to build trust within their team.”) Strong outcomes make your proposal more compelling and help reviewers understand the impact of your session.
Know your audience: Leadership Summit attendees include students, professionals, alumni, and community partners. Proposals that offer something meaningful for multiple experience levels, or clearly target a specific group, often stand out.
Make it interactive: Sessions that invite reflection, discussion, or hands-on application tend to have the biggest impact. Consider how you can engage participants beyond a standard lecture format.
Align with a track: Choose the topic track that best fits your session: General Leadership, Social Justice, Civic Engagement, Student Organizations, Personal Development, or Professional Development. A clear alignment helps reviewers place your session in the right context.
Be authentic: You don’t have to have decades of leadership experience to make a difference. Some of the most powerful sessions come from honest stories, lessons learned, and fresh perspectives. Share what you know and speak from the heart.
Questions?
For questions, please contact Jeremy Paul, Associate Director of Student Organizations & Leadership Development, at [email protected].