The ability to become a leader within a diverse multicultural community has become increasingly important in today’s world.
The 2026 ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference will take place September 26 - October 3, 2026.
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 alumni.
Students who participate in the ALANA (African Latino Asian Native American) Multicultural Leadership Conference have an opportunity to develop skills that will help them as leaders and managers within their student organizations today, while preparing them for success on their career paths. By engaging in the ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference students 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 our campus community and multicultural organizations. Student leaders, alumni, faculty, staff members, volunteers, along with professional speakers and performers come together to facilitate these events, making it one of the most unique conferences at SUNY Oswego.
2026 ALANA Conference: Leading through Authenticity, Culture and Community
Schedule* for the 2026 ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference:
Saturday, September 26th - Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
Saturday, September 26th
International Day of PEACE Walk and Cook-Out
Peace Walk: 2:30pm. Meeting Location: Marano Campus Center Loop
Unity Cook-Out: 4pm. Meeting Location: Marano Campus Quad (Rain location: Hewitt Ballroom)
Join us as we walk in solidarity in advocating/building a preset and future grounded in peace and positive impact locally, nationally and worldwide. The ALANA Peace Cook-out will follow after the walk.
Monday, September 28th
"From Hardship to Leadership" Keynote
featuring Keynote Speaker: Mary Maker
5pm - 6:30pm Hewitt Ballroom
Leadership Keynote, Mary 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, September 30th
Talent Show: Night of Expression
5pm-7pm Sheldon Ballroom
This even highlights culture, 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, October 1st
Leadership Workshops for You
4:30-6:30pm MCC Auditorium
1. Bringing Culture into Your Workplace
2. Navigating the Noise: Managing Microaggressions in Higher Education and Beyond
3. Leadership through Expression (Music, Dance, Fashion and Creativity)
4. Examining Comparison Culture: The Significance of Your Story
5. A Critical Assessment of Culture and Tradition
6. 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, October 2nd
12pm - 2pm Empowered to Lead: Serving with Purpose On Campus
Serving our campus community through collaboration with the Office of Sustainability. Students will be encouraged to put their leadership in action through campus engagement with Shining Water project, helping to keep our campus and lake clean and sustainable.
Saturday, October 3rd
ALANA Conference Dinner featuring Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Borrero
6pm Sheldon Ballroom (Doors open at 5:30pm)
Concluding event for the conference, where attendees will be served multicultural cuisines. This event recaps on the week and encourages students to continue their pursuit of campus opportunities for leadership development. Our keynote, Jennifer 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!