American Multicultural Student Leadership Conference (AMSLC)

AMSLC Report Links: Background | Purpose | Core Functions | Funding | Planning | Registration & Logistics | Activities | Conclusion | Planning & Implementation Diagram (PDF) | Planning and Implementation Checklist (PDF)

American Multicultural Student Leadership Conference (AMSLC)
The University of Wisconsin System
Report of the AMSLC Workgroup August 2006

Core Functions

Presentation of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Expression.

The AMSLC Workgroup consistently heard from Multicultural/Disadvantaged Coordinators and Precollege Directors that student presentations constitute a core function of AMSLC. Student presentations consist of oral presentations, poster presentations, exhibits, or performances in the following categories: Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Performance, and Research. Students may elect to ground their projects in their field of study and/or their leadership experience in community service, activism, or other efforts toward social justice. Regardless of the category through which they elect to present their work, students are required to collaborate with a faculty or staff mentor in the development of their abstract, project, and presentation.

The Workgroup decided that presentations should be incorporated into the conference program and constitute integral components of the conference experience. This emphasis on presentations provides students with valuable experience in presenting their work and showcases their successes. Furthermore, increased student participation lessens dependence on outside speakers and entertainment by featuring the participants themselves throughout the conference. To reinforce the value and experience of participating and to maximize learning outcomes from attendance, students will receive a certificate for presenting at the conference, rather than competitive awards as was customary in the previous years.

Knowledge and Skills to Prepare for Future Leadership Opportunities. Another core feature of AMSLC is acquiring knowledge and skills that prepare students for future leadership opportunities. To that end, AMSLC participants will continue to gain exposure to a wide array of workshops that emphasize personal, professional, and career development in facilitation, presentations, cross-cultural training, leadership, employment sectors, grassroots organizing and global engagement, and navigating the system. Student presentations of their work will provide students with the knowledge and skills to advance in their area of study and demonstrate their expertise. Home institutions are urged to point students to additional leadership opportunities such as the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in order to foster their success and pursuit of excellence.

Engaging with Others Within and Across Cultures. Engagement with others is another core feature of AMSLC because the conference brings together multicultural and economically disadvantaged students from across the state to spend an intense
weekend together to foster leadership and excellence. UW host institutions will continue to take advantage of this unique opportunity by providing participants with a variety of activities and experiences, such as ethnic and multicultural caucuses, community service activities, entertainment, and leadership preparation, as determined by the host institution. Building relationships and networking are key skills, which will provide participants with critical connections that may last a lifetime.