On the morning of Feb. 27, the Elliot University Center Cone Ballroom was filled with big, round tables where students drank coffee and nibbled on pastries among alumni guests and staff members. The students chatted easily with each other and the professionals in attendance as the UNCG Student Leadership Summit came to order with a keynote speaker who set the tone perfectly.
All eyes turned to Brian Campbell ’02 at the mic, with a screen behind him that read, “20 years from now… will they be saying your name?”
Leading with Intention
A motivational speaker, author of “The Banker’s Blueprint,” and vice president for Truist Financial Corporation, Campbell explained how he’d interviewed with BB&T on campus when he was a senior. BB&T eventually became Truist while he tenaciously built a career in mortgage banking, thanks to a campus interview made possible by UNCG resources.
“I’ve changed the lives of more than 2,500 people by helping them to buy homes and reach financial independence because of the leadership that started at UNCG,” he said.
Just 24 years ago, Campbell had been in the same position as the young leaders gathered before him. Today, he used the word “intentional” 15 times in his 20-minute speech, in which he encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities around them.
“Leadership is a lifelong journey,” he said. “You’re building for something that is much bigger than you. You’ve got to launch eventually. You’re needed!”
Campbell learned the importance of scholarship, service, and leadership at UNCG, particularly through involvement in his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. He got emotional when sharing stories about lifelong friends he met at UNCG, their positive influence on him, and the impact they made in their own careers and lives beyond college. His anecdotes about influential peers hit home for the students, many of whom were drawn to organizations for the friends they met there.
Campbell’s words, “Skills learned today shape your tomorrow. What will your story be?” kicked off a day-long event of communication exercises, self-reflection, and leadership skill development for the more than 50 UNCG students in attendance.
Reaching the Summit
The Summit was organized by a planning committee made up of staff members from the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement (OLCE) and Campus Activities & Programs (CAP), with support from the Office of Alumni Engagement.
“We really wanted to design an experience where students could meet their peers and they could also learn from folks who had done it before,” said Kiley Alexander-Coster, associate director of CAP. “Their capacity to connect with one another and reflect on their own experience was something that we watched develop throughout the day.”
The students broke into small groups based on where they were in their leadership journey: exploratory, emerging, or experienced. The groups dove deeper into issues like choosing the right organization for you, improving communication within student organizations, and leading with purpose.
“Being in an environment where I was around similar people as myself was so amazing,” said fourth-year media studies student Jiyah McLaughlin. “The Summit did a great job of helping us identify our own personal values and then tying that back to organizations we can serve.”
After lunch, the group was inspired by question-and-answer sessions from a student panel of leaders and an alumni panel of professionals. Like Campbell, the professionals shared anecdotes about how they developed skills in student organizations — whether they be Greek organizations, residence life, or cultural or service groups — that were useful in their careers.
“Find your spark and build on it. Be ambitious and busy, but be strategic,” said Candace Martin ’10, operations and communications manager at Action Greensboro.
April Albritton ’05 shared lessons that helped her to transition from student leadership to her current position as Community Partnerships and Development Officer with the City of Greensboro: “Volunteering with UNCG athletics made me the servant leader I am today. You don’t have to do everything on your own. Use your resources here. Wander into offices and ask what people do. Remember that you chose UNCG and UNCG chose you!”
Find Your Place to Shine at the G
The 2026 Student Leadership Summit was a prime example of the many ways that UNCG supports students and the 250+ organizations on campus, and those in attendance were here for it.
“Student leadership is really what our students choose to make it,” said Alexander-Coster. “It starts with finding what they’re passionate about and finding a community that makes them feel like they belong.”
The Summit’s student panel was made up of ambassadors who had found ways to make a difference on campus. Their stories painted a unique picture of what leadership looks like at UNCG. Some are bubbly and engaging, and others are intuitive listeners. Some come from high-achieving backgrounds, and others are just finding their stride in college.
“I would not say that I arrived as a strong leader,” explained fourth-year Malcolm Johnson. “In high school, I was kind of in this gray area. I was never the best at anything, but I wasn’t the worst either. It wasn’t until I got to UNCG that I realized I can’t make my way through that way.” Johnson’s involvement in residence life and public health classes provided a spark to create his own club, the Public Health Impact Network (PHIN).
Jason Alaniz-Ibarra carried a quiet confidence on the student panel, but came to life when he discussed the growing Hispanic community at UNCG. “Seeing my fraternity create safe spaces for Hispanics on campus inspired me to join and lead,” he said. “Leadership isn’t a trait you are born with. I had to learn how to get involved, command a room, and take control of a situation. Reaching out to faculty and staff around campus really helped.”
It was easy to see how McLaughlin became so involved on campus. Her enthusiasm was contagious. “I love the community at UNCG and the fact that everybody is so welcoming and inviting. It makes you want to get involved,” she said. “I quickly learned that there’s no wrong way to lead. There’s room to develop your own style.”
The takeaway from the Summit experience is that no two student leaders are the same at UNCG, but all leave with skills and confidence to make a real impact in the careers and communities they will serve, thanks to the support they receive during their college years.
“I’m fortunate to be able to come to this University,” said Johnson. “I’m so fortunate to be immersed with all these wonderful peers and faculty and staff who can enrich me. That realization immediately makes me to give back to the community.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Video by David Row, University Communications.
