By Autumn Walden, Editor, ̽»¨Â¥ Connect, Content Strategy Manager, ̽»¨Â¥
There’s a certain magic in a room full of people who raise their hands to be called on, sharing support, camaraderie, and a sense of shared responsibility. That spirit defined this year’s Leadership Meeting, an in-person, invite-only convening that brought nearly 150 ̽»¨Â¥ leaders together to recharge for the future.
Held in late June, the meeting drew the Board of Directors, Caucus and Committee Chairs, State and Regional Officers, and volunteer leaders across ̽»¨Â¥ programs—from SEM-EP and ASCEND to podcast hosts and peer mentors. About a third of attendees were first-timers, with a large cohort of international admissions professionals bringing a fresh wave of perspectives alongside seasoned leaders. And while the room was full, we made an intentional effort to hold space for those who couldn’t be with us.
Combine that with our ̽»¨Â¥ staff retreat, complete with a sobering update from our Government Relations team, and you have a healthy mix of big-picture planning, cross-institutional collaboration, and spontaneous conversations that ground strategy in day-to-day reality.
We began with what could have been a routine roll call. Instead, it became a 90-minute highlight. Each attendee stood to introduce themselves, stating their name, title, institution, and whether this was their first time attending, as well as what they hoped to gain from the meeting. What unfolded was lively, affirming, and, at times, deeply poignant. These unscripted moments offered unexpected laughs, real vulnerability, and a powerful sense of shared purpose.
“I think the introductions, as long as they were, were very helpful,” said Dawn Renta, a first-time attendee and immediate past president of . “Just the energy in the whole 90 minutes… it really made a difference.”
Unlike a traditional conference, this convening operated as a single-room experience. Over the course of two days, we walked through critical updates on ̽»¨Â¥’s five-year strategic plan, now in its fourth year. Presenters shared detailed visualizations of member engagement and impact data, which prompted candid discussions about the evolving needs of our professional community.
We also explored progress toward launching the Learning Mobility platform, defined as "a learner-centered innovation, where systems, processes, programs, and initiatives must be designed around the needs and best interests of the learner of today and the future at every stage of their journey.” Its development was framed not just as a technical lift but as a mission-critical effort to reduce inequity and increase opportunity across higher education.
For Renta, the meeting didn’t just inform—it encouraged.
“It exceeded my expectations. This was an awesome meeting,” she said. “Because it was a smaller group, you were able to connect with people more easily… it was a truly positive experience.”
Having previously led a regional association, Renta brought a valuable perspective on volunteer leadership. But until recently, she wasn’t sure if she had more to give.
“If you'd asked me a year ago, I would've said I was burnt out,” she said. “But I realize I do want more. I know I'm not done. I'm re-energized.” And she means business—Renta is also one of the 2025 ̽»¨Â¥ Hill Day Advocates.
That theme—reenergizing purpose and redefining leadership—was present in many of the weekend’s discussions. Still, she acknowledged the barriers that often limit participation: a lack of awareness, opaque processes, or the assumption that you need to be “tapped” to lead.
“You don’t have to know somebody to get involved,” she said. “You don’t have to wait to be asked. Just do it. And if the first committee isn’t the right fit, you’ll find one that is.”
One recommendation from her meeting experience? “We should’ve had a sign-up drive right at the meeting,” she laughed.
The Leadership Meeting provided a space for honest conversations and meaningful relationship-building. It also offered something less expected but more powerful—a renewed sense of collective momentum.
“Everybody is just so approachable at ̽»¨Â¥,” Renta said.
As we left the room—some heading back to campuses, others to continue ̽»¨Â¥ projects—the impact of the gathering lingered. Leadership isn’t just about being in charge. It’s about showing up, making space for others, and moving forward together.
If you’ve ever considered getting more involved, let this be your sign: there’s room for you here.