The 2012 Students United! Conference will be held on Friday, March 30, 2012, at Framingham State University. This will be the eleventh year that the Department of Higher Education has organized this conference to provide a forum for students from Massachusetts public colleges and universities to speak with state leaders and address issues of importance to campus life and the educational experience.

The central theme of the 2012 Students United! Conference will be Leadership Skills. This topic was chosen by the Student Advisory Council, who are invited each year to choose a theme related to leadership that will drive the agenda for the day. Past themes chosen by the Council have included Civic Engagement (2009), Advocacy (2010), and Activism (2011).

This year’s conference will feature:

• An opening session with Charles F. Desmond, Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, and Richard M. Freeland, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
  
  
• Motivational speaker and leadership trainer Michael Miller of reallymotivated.com. Michael is also an alum of Framingham State University.
  
  
• Two rounds of morning breakout sessions:
• Breaking Boards
  Increase self-awareness and self-confidence as you are challenged to break a 1"-thick pine board.
• Leadership Styles and Roles
  Understand how different leadership styles work effectively with others.
• Crossing Borders: Communication for Effective Cross-Cultural Leadership
  Learn how to effectively communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Building Leadership Fundamentals: How to Work Successfully With Campus Administration and Advocate for Your Organization
  Learn how to work effectively with campus administrators to help ensure your organization's success in carrying out its mission.
  
  
• Afternoon roundtables where you will be able to sit with state leaders to learn about and discuss current issues in Massachusetts higher education:
• Governor’s Plan for Community Colleges
  Learn about and get answers to your questions on the Governor’s recent budget proposal that focuses on community colleges’ potential to drive workforce development, announced in his January State of the State address.
  
• Civic Engagement
  Gain information and tools to transform your passion for community service into an effective initiative or even a successful career.
• State-Funded Financial Aid
  Is your campus getting its fair share, and does it pay for students to lobby on this issue? Get facts and tips to help you be a better advocate for this critically important resource.