NATIONAL COLLEGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
One of KAC’s legacy programs is the National College Leadership Conference (NCLC). It is the oldest leadership conference for Korean American college students and recent college graduates in the nation. NCLC aims to promote Korean American community awareness; understanding of cultural identity and history, the power of impactful policies and passion for giving back to the community as well as civic leadership.
For 5 days and 4 nights, the conference brings together Korean American students from across the nation to grow together. Students participate in panel discussions, workshops, and mentorship sessions with speakers. Past speakers have come from both public and private sectors, including community leaders, elected officials, corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, authors, creatives, media leaders, doctors, lawyers, financial and management leaders, and more. The conference incorporates the following structures in order to provide a transformative experience with life-long impact:
- A culture of mentorship, providing a safe space for students to spend quality time with distinguished speakers and build relationships through mentorship circles during meals.
- Individualized attention for each student, delivering a “learning by doing” experience with sessions of reflection and teamwork with fellow cohort members.
- Development of professional skills (e.g., resume building, job interview, and conflict resolution skills) as well as mental wellbeing.