ALANA's 40th annual Multicultural Leadership Conference scheduled
Mary Maker will share her life-changing refugee experience as a keynote speaker for the ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference.
This year marks the 40th annual African Latino Asian Native American (ALANA) Multicultural Leadership Conference, with a theme of "Leading through Authenticity, Culture and Community."
The ALANA Multicultural Leadership conference was created to showcase multicultural organizations impact on campus, while providing programs for student leader development, appreciation of diversity and the importance of being an engaged student on campus in preparation for your career, upon graduation and becoming an alum.
Students who participate in the ALANA conference have an opportunity to develop skills that enhance them as leaders and managers within role models, preparing them for success on campus and beyond. By engaging in this Multicultural Leadership Conference, students can acquire a stronger knowledge and deeper understanding of many cultures.
This experience allows students to recognize the importance of inclusion through learning about the rich diversity of the campus community and multicultural organizations. Student leaders, alumni, faculty, staff members and volunteers, along with professional speakers and performers come together to facilitate these events, making it one of the most unique conferences at SUNY Oswego.
The conference will take place Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, 2026 and include the following hightlights:
Saturday, Sept. 26: International Day of Peace Walk and Cook-Out
The Peace Walk will meet at 2:30 p.m. Marano Campus Center Loop. The Unity Cook-Out begins at 4:00 p.m. on the Marano Campus Quad (rain location: Hewitt Ballroom). Participants will walk in solidarity in advocating/building a present and future grounded in peace and positive impact locally, nationally and worldwide. The ALANA Peace Cook-out will follow the walk.
Monday, Sept. 28: "From Hardship to Leadership," featuring keynote speaker Mary Maker
From 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hewitt Hall ballroom, Maker will share her life-changing refugee experience, and help students learn how leadership is directly linked to identity and the ability to perceive challenges as opportunities for growth.
Wednesday, Sept. 30: Talent Show: Night of Expression
This event, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sheldon Hall ballroom, will highlightsculture, uniqueness and identity through expression. Students attending this event will enjoy a night of artistic performances and be able to participate for a chance to win prizes.
Thursday, Oct. 1: Leadership Workshops for You
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center Aauditorium, the following workshops will take place:
- Bringing Culture into Your Workplace
- Navigating the Noise: Managing Micro-aggressions
- Leadership through Expression (Music, Dance, Fashion and Creativity)
- Examining Comparison Culture: The Significance of Your Story
- A Critical Assessment of Culture and Tradition
- The Importance of Advocating for Yourself: A "How to" for Self-Advocacy
Students attending these workshops will gain education through presentation and hands-on learning that aims to enhance their leadership competence, embracement of culture and identity
Friday, Oct. 2: Empowered to Lead: Serving with Purpose On Campus
From noon to 2 p.m., students can serve the campus community through collaboration with the Office of Sustainability. Students will be encouraged to put their leadership in action through campus engagement with the Shining Waters project, helping to keep the campus and lake clean and sustainable.
Saturday, Oct. 2: ALANA Conference Dinner featuring keynote speaker Jennifer Borrero
The concluding event for the conference, starting at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m. ) in the Sheldon Hall ballroom, will offer multicultural cuisines and words of wisdom. This event recaps on the week and encourages students to continue their pursuit of campus opportunities for leadership development. Borreo will empower students toward cultivating leadership growth through cultural appreciation and dynamic impact.
ALANA will also give a special tribute to the life and legacy of one of SUNY Oswego's most outstanding leaders, Howard Gordon, who is a co-founder of this annual conference.
For more information, visit the ALANA conference website.
-- Submitted by Student Engagement and Leadership