The West Virginia UniversityCenter for Black Culture and Research will host their Annual Student Leadership Conference from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Blue/Gold Room of Lyon Tower.

A variety of presenters from within and outside the WVU community will facilitate workshops and present lectures to WVU students designed to offer insight and instruction on the elements and processes of leadership.

According to Phoenicia Keffer, student program advisor at the Center, the conference focuses on providing leadership skills training to students as well as networking opportunities. Students will also discuss careers and hone communication and study skills.

Speakers include WVU Extension Specialist and Professor of Sociology Otis G. Cox Jr.; Jennifer McIntosh, Executive Officer for Social Justice; Eddie Reed, M.D., Director, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center; James Tolbert, President of the West Virginia State Conference of Branches of the NAACP ; Michael Belmear, Vice President of Student Affairs, Fairmont State College; and Dr. Katherine Bankole, Director, WVU Center for Black Culture and Research.

Topics include: How Character Counts at WVU ; Leadership, Diversity and LawSchool; Evidence of Organization? Management Dilemma; The WVU Cancer Center �€Present and Future; and Leadership is not Tolerance; It is Understanding.

The annual conference is held in memory of the late Mark C. Bigelow, a black WVU student leader and law student.

All WVU students are welcome to attend this free program; no registration is required.