Even though March 24 was the second day of spring break, it wasn’t quiet on campus.
The low hum of students asking questions, engaged in conversation, and sharing ideas filled the Joe Crowley Student Union. “What does leadership mean to you?” “How do I take care of myself, physically, emotionally, and financially so I can serve my family and my community?”
These were some of the questions that more than 80 middle and high schoolers discussed during the first-ever Wolf Pack Rising Youth Leaders Conference, a full-day event aimed to build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging among Reno/Sparks youth.
“Our goal was for students to leave more confident in their ability to pursue opportunities they may not have previously imagined for themselves,” said Michael Flores, vice president of Government and Community Engagement. “By bringing them to campus, introducing them to faculty and staff, and letting them take the lead, we offered them access and a vision into what their futures could be.”
Students and University leadership listened as Provost Jeff Thompson welcomed students to the conference, encouraging them to ask questions and step outside their comfort zone. The conference was the vision of Flores and his team, three years in the making. The Office of Government and Community Engagement imagined an event where young people could see themselves on a college campus, connect with mentors, and begin to envision a future in higher education. Through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, the students spent their spring break participating in hands-on sessions focused on leadership development, financial wellness, and personal storytelling.
Lucy Ramirez, a student at Coral Academy of Science, said she felt inspired spending the day on the University campus and aims to be the first person in her family to attend college. She approached University leadership with questions and shared how a difficult moment for her family has turned into something to inspire her and her future career.
“I want to be a trauma doctor, and I want to show my family that I can be a leader,” Ramirez said. “I came to learn more communication skills, interaction skills and leadership skills. I want to make hospitals better.”
I came to learn more communication skills, interaction skills and leadership skills. I want to make hospitals better.
Throughout the day’s events, students rotated through interactive workshops such as “Build Your Vision,” a vision-boarding session that encouraged them to imagine their personal and academic goals; “Tell Your Story,” which focused on communication and self-advocacy; and Financial EQ, a session centered on financial literacy.
"By the end of the day, you could really see the shift in the students’ confidence,” said Osvaldo Jimenez-Estupinan, director of Hispanic Latinx community relations. “Many shared that they hadn’t thought about themselves as leaders before, but after the sessions and conversations with mentors, they started to see that potential in themselves."
Students like Zenaida Alarcón of Hug High School and Alejandro Gonzalez of TMCC High School said the conference gave them a chance to learn more about health-related careers and the health sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. Gonzalez said he was especially interested in building connections and leadership opportunities available to University students.
Executive Vice President and Provost Jeffrey Thompson spoke to students, touting the theme that leadership begins with community.
“A wolf pack is strong because no one does things alone,” he told the students. “Wolves look out for each other. They learn from one another. They move forward together.”
Thompson shared the value of showing up for yourself and for others. “Leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room,” he said. “Leadership is about how you treat others.”
By the end of the day, organizers said the simple goal was met: to show students that they belong.
“By being here today, you are already part of the Wolf Pack,” Thompson told them.
