Only a fortunate few are born leaders; most of those who guide organizations effectively have learned the skills that make them great leaders. The third annual student leadership conference, Leadership: The Ultimate Balancing Act, will offer the opportunity to learn the tricks of the leadership trade on Saturday, September 29, at MHC's Blanchard Campus Center. Says Tamara Burk, director of the Weissman Center for Leadership's Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program, "Leadership is a universal yet enigmatic construct. In other words, it's complex. The student leadership conference is a valuable and unique opportunity for students to cut through that complexity and to examine both models and skills from a broad menu of leadership contexts.”

In the morning, Johanna Infantine '87, associate director of fellowships at Health Forum of San Francisco, will deliver the conference's keynote address and lead the workshop "Personal Mastery and Leadership.” At Health Forum, Infantine is responsible for designing and implementing two leadership development programs for community leaders and for senior managers in health care. Infantine earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and women's studies from MHC and a master of arts degree in public policy and management from the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service. At the conference, Infantine's interactive workshop will include a series of learning modules and exercises designed to help students improve their effectiveness as leaders and will address the challenge of maintaining personal and professional balance.

Following Infantine's presentations and a networking lunch and discussion, students will choose from workshops that address issues ranging from managing time and setting goals to attracting group members and getting them to work as a team. Student organizations are encouraged to send several members of their group to the conference, but all MHC students are welcome. Conference participation (including lunch) is free of charge, but preregistration is required. Students will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is via the Web, at www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/programs/wcl/leadership, only, and student organizations should register all participating members on the same page. Contact Marjorie Kochanowicz at mkochano or x3028 with questions.

"I'm looking forward to giving our hard-working student leaders an opportunity to take time for reflection on leadership," says Beth Gibney Boulden, associate director of student programs. "The skills they learn in experiential leadership opportunities at MHC support their college experience and will be with them long after they leave. Students will greatly benefit from listening to our keynote speaker, workshop presenters. and fellow leaders."

The conference is sponsored by the Office of the Associate Dean of the College and the Dean of Students; the Office of Health Education; the Office of Residential Life; the Office of Student Programs; the Weissman Center for Leadership's Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program; and the Student Government Association.