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10 Years of Public Service Impact: Igniting Change, Inspiring Leaders
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Saturday, January 31, 2026
9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Memorial Union at the ASU Tempe Campus
The NGSC Leadership Conference brings together all NSGC members for a day of networking, reflection, and professional development. This event is required for all NGSC members. Students must attend the entire event for credit. Review the Mandatory Events Absence Policy below for further clarification.
General check-in begins promptly at 8:30 AM, with the program starting at 9:00 AM. Students interested in breakfast must register for breakfast. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:00 AM. Students must register for this event by Friday, December 19, to guarantee a meal.
*Please note that any student wearing hats, shirts, buttons, etc. with language deemed inappropriate or offensive will be asked to leave, and credit for attendance will not be counted.
Need to Know:
Need to Know:
Here's what to expect from the Mission Team Kickoff and more!
Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.
Students arriving more than 15 minutes late will not earn credit for the event.
Bring your ASU ID or a mobile device to check in for the event.
Wear your NGSC polo or professional attire
Bring a reusable water bottle to get an extra raffle ticket!
Bring paper and pens to take notes.
- Earn Raffle Tickets! 🎟
Students can earn raffle tickets in the following ways:
Bring a reusable water bottle or coffee cup – Show your commitment to sustainability!
Agenda
Memorial Union 2nd Floor
8:30 am-9:00 am Breakfast
*Students must indicate their plan to arrive in time for breakfast when they register. Any students arriving after 9:00 am will not have the option for breakfast.
8:30 am - 9:00 am Student Check-in
9:00 am - 9:30 am Welcome and Introductions
9:30 am - 10:10 am Keynote
10:10 am - 10:25 am Raffle & Awards
10:25 am - 10:35 am Transition
10:35 am- 11:25 am Breakout Session 1
11:25 am - 11:35 am Transition
11:35 am- 12:25 pm Breakout Session 2
12:25 pm - 12:35 pm Transition
12:35 pm - 1:20 pm Breakout Session 3
Lunch (Student Pavilion)
11:35 am - 12:25 pm Lunch - Group A
12:30 pm - 1:20 pm Lunch - Group B
1:20 pm- 1:30 pm Transition to Alumni Sector Breakouts
Alumni Sector Panels & Networking (Memorial Union 2nd Floor)
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Alumni Sector Panels
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Evaluation and Check-Out
Breakfast Menu:
Mini Breakfast Burritos
Meat Lovers
Florentine (No Cheese)
Gluten-Free Florentine (No Cheese, GF)
***We strive to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free options, which will be clearly labeled at the event. While food is prepared in shared kitchens, guests with strict dietary restrictions are encouraged to visit the MU food options on the lower level or bring their own meal.***
Lunch Menu:
Tasty Tex-Mex Lunch
Chicken Fajitas with Tortillas, Shredded Cheddar & Sour Cream
Mexican Rice & Charro Beans
Sautéed Peppers & Onions
Tortilla Chips with Pico de Gallo (VG) & Salsa Roja (VG)
Cinnamon Crisps
***A designated table will be available at lunch, located at the back of the room, for guests with dietary restrictions. This table will include: Vegan chorizo, vegan cheese, and a variety of fixings to create gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free Tex-Mex bowls.***
There are certain experiences throughout the year that are critical to the effectiveness of the program and your leadership development within it. As a student, you have the responsibility and obligation to make choices and balance your priorities; however, for NGSC required events, we do not offer excused absences (with the exception of ASU classes and religious holidays). Should you miss an event, your absence or failure to participate will be documented, and after each semester, program staff will evaluate your participation as a member of NGSC. Failure to comply with participation standards of the program will impact your program status resulting in a warning, probation, or removal from the program, including a possible reduction or loss of your PSA Scholarship.
Reminders:
Reminders:
NGSC Leadership Conference
ASU Tempe Campus, Memorial Union (MU), 1290 S. Normal Ave. Tempe, AZ 85287
Professional attire. NGSC Polos recommended! (You will potentially be walking quite a bit on the 2nd floor between sessions, so wear comfortable shoes.)
Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:30 am on the second floor of the Memorial Union at ASU Tempe in the Turquoise Ballroom. Please give yourself plenty of time to check in and grab your name tag and breakfast. Note that check-in will not open before 8:30 am.
As part of our sustainability efforts, we encourage all participants to bring reusable water bottles and coffee mugs.
See below for bios of all our community partners and guests who will be joining us. We recommend reading bios ahead of time, finding contact info, and planning who you want to connect with at the conference.
Parking and Transportation
Parking and Transportation
Paid parking is typically available in the Apache Boulevard Lot on weekends. We cannot validate parking for students.
ASU Shuttles: More detailed information on the ASU Shuttles can be found here: https://cfo.asu.edu/shuttles
As we aim to foster a diverse and enriching experience, our guest speakers are professionals from various sectors offering insights and guidance in their respective areas of expertise to support your personal and professional growth. We are thrilled with the incredible lineup of breakout presenters and guests we have this year. Review their bios at the link above and plan who you want to connect with at the conference, making the most of our extended transitions as networking time. Check back often, as it is updated multiple times a day. Search for speakers below.
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
If you’ve signed up for Mock Interviews, please take a moment to watch the video and review the handouts. These resources explain the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to help structure your responses. You'll also find sample questions and spaces to jot down notes for practice. Remember, don't script your answers—keep them natural and authentic!
If you’ve signed up for Mock Interviews, please take a moment to watch the video and review the handouts. These resources explain the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to help structure your responses. You'll also find sample questions and spaces to jot down notes for practice. Remember, don't script your answers—keep them natural and authentic!
mock interview prep.mp4interview-prep.pdfCrafting-your-story-2.pdf Map of the Memorial Union
Map of the Memorial Union
Menu TBD
Menu TBD
TBD
Breakout Sessions & Rooms
* Sessions with an asterisk are only offered once.
Session 1: 10:35 - 11:25am
Session 1: 10:35 - 11:25am
Unlocking Your Personal Brand
Ronald Mack | MU 226 Graham
Mentoring in your Community
Andrea Petrof | MU 208 Chrysocolla
From Backpack to Briefcase: Resume Writing and Interview Skills
Roberto Villegas-Gold | MU 238 Apache
Empathy in Action: Communicating with Fairness, Humility, and Purpose
Kyle Mox | MU 085 Union Stage
Financial Foundations - The Smart Way to Financial Freedom
Tez Adams | MU 225 Yuma
Authenticity and Professionalism: How to stay true to yourself while being professional
Michelle Villegas-Gold | MU 246 Coconino
*Ugh, Another meeting!?!? Meeting Management 101
Marcus Jones | MU 229 Santa Cruz
*Peace Corps
Danae Bell | MU 202 Alumni Lounge
*Career-Ready AI Workshop: Build Skills & Create Your Own Bot
Liliana Rodriguez | MU 242 La Paz
*The Two Questions that Make an Ordinary Life Extraordinary
Jason Paprocki | MU 224 Gila
Leading Under Pressure: Building Confidence, Clarity, and Courage in Changing Times
Vince Micone | MU 227 Pinal
*Airports as Hubs for Cross-Sector Leadership
Taylor Sokolovic | MU 228 Cochise
*Character-Driven Leadership
Brett Hunt | MU 230 Pima Auditorium
Session 2A: 11:35 - 12:25pm
Session 2A: 11:35 - 12:25pm
Unlocking Your Personal Brand
Ronald Mack | MU 226 Graham
Mentoring in your Community
Andrea Petrof | MU 208 Chrysocolla
From Backpack to Briefcase: Resume Writing and Interview Skills
Roberto Villegas-Gold | MU 238 Apache
Mock Interviews
Bryan Custer | MU 207 Gold Room
Policy Design Studio & Washington, D.C. Internship Program
Edward O'Donnell | MU 206 Copper
More than just a game! Lessons from a career in sport and community development across sectors
Eric Legg | MU 240 Navajo
Empathy in Action: Communicating with Fairness, Humility, and Purpose
Kyle Mox | MU 085 Union Stage
Financial Foundations - The Smart Way to Financial Freedom
Tez Adams | MU 225 Yuma
Authenticity and Professionalism: How to stay true to yourself while being professional
Michelle Villegas-Gold | MU 246 Coconino
*Event Planning 101
Marcus Jones | MU 229 Santa Cruz
Make Your Impact: Careers in Public Service
Danae Bell | MU 202 Alumni Lounge
Humanizing Higher Education through Passion, Practice, and Leadership
Elisa Kawam | MU 242 La Paz
The Justice Bus: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Justice and Change: Turning partnerships into real-world results
Dianna Kalandros | MU 224 Gila
Leading Under Pressure: Building Confidence, Clarity, and Courage in Changing Times
Vince Micone | MU 227 Pinal
*Making Space for All: Inclusion Through the Lens of Airports
Taylor Sokolovic | MU 228 Cochise
*In Lak’ech and Public Service
Brian Yslava Molina | MU 223 Yavapai
Session 2B: 12:35 - 1:25pm
Session 2B: 12:35 - 1:25pm
*From Campus to City Hall: The ASU Graduate Fellowship That Launches Local Government Careers
Kari Kent | MU 226 Graham
Mock Interviews
Bryan Custer | MU 207 Gold Room
Policy Design Studio & Washington, D.C. Internship Program
Edward O'Donnell | MU 206 Copper
More than just a game! Lessons from a career in sport and community development across sectors
Eric Legg | MU 240 Navajo
*Community Environmental Listening: From Disconnection to Stewardship Through Sound
Celia Yang | MU 085 Union Stage
*From Calling to Calendar: Purpose-Driven Time Management for Life and Leadership
Jordan Martinez | MU 225 Yuma
*Career Development and the evolving role of AI
Liat Berger | MU 246 Coconino
*Health equity will not get us anywhere closer to the right to health
Nargish Patwoary | MU 229 Santa Cruz
Make Your Impact: Careers in Public Service
Danae Bell | MU 202 Alumni Lounge
Humanizing Higher Education through Passion, Practice, and Leadership
Elisa Kawam | MU 242 La Paz
The Justice Bus: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Justice and Change: Turning partnerships into real-world results
Dianna Kalandros | MU 224 Gila
*How to Find the Right Fit in Employment
Emma Wetherell | MU 227 Pinal
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