2026 Student Life Professional Development Conference View Other Sessions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are being implemented and integrated into many facets of everyday life. Evidence shows that AI use in systems like hiring, healthcare, administration, and language models (Apple’s Siri) can impact overall efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, financial expenditures, and social benefits across professions. However, AI models have demonstrated hallucinations and biases in responses, which can create and exacerbate disparities and perpetuate harm. Particularly, as models have rapidly developed, there is growing evidence that demonstrates biases and discrimination towards race, gender, and age in AI algorithms and outputs. This duality raises ethical concerns, especially for professionals utilizing models in community-facing roles. This presentation will delve into the ethical implications of discrimination in AI use across professional settings and bring further awareness to individuals utilizing AI tools in the workplace.

Leading valiantly is not just about achieving results but also about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential. Jeannette knows a thing or two about resilience and grit, and she’ll share with you strategies to have an adventure and not an ordeal when being a leader is most challenging. Learn the three attributes that are fundamental to leading others, and specific action items attendees can do when the path isn’t always clear.

“Disability justice” is a phrase that has become so commonplace that the original intent has become lost. This presentation will introduce the 10 Principles of Disability Justice, which were developed by the Disability Justice Collective in 2005, a group of disabled activists of color. Each of the Principles will be defined and then connected to a work of art or to a current issue. In the end, participants will be asked to reflect on and discuss which of the principles are most easily aligned with their personal and/or professional values, and which of the principles are the most challenging to align. The purpose of this exercise is not to frustrate, but rather to recognize how “disability justice” is both challenging to apply to our work, and something to strive towards. 

More information about the 10 Principles that will be covered: https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/

Are you curious about the buzz surrounding Design Your Life? Based on the innovative curriculum developed by Stanford’s Life Design Lab and adopted across higher education, this workshop offers an interactive introduction to life design principles and practices.

Participants will:

-Gain insights into the foundation of the Life Design approach, grounded in design thinking and positive psychology.

-Engage in a hands-on sample activity used successfully with college students to foster self-reflection, clarify goals, and envision multiple pathways forward.

-Explore practical strategies for integrating Life Design into your work, empowering students to approach their academic and personal journeys with creativity and resilience.

This session presents an innovative workshop model developed by SEAS Student Center Career Services to help students identify, prioritize, and effectively communicate the skills most valued in their field. The workshop bridges academic learning with workforce readiness by combining faculty expertise, alumni insight, and guided student reflection.

The 90-minute format begins with a faculty-led discussion on core program competencies paired with examples of how these skills are cultivated through SEAS coursework. An interactive activity then supports students in mapping their existing skills, identifying gaps, and aligning future coursework or experiences to strengthen those areas. The session concludes with structured time for next steps, including guidance on how to articulate and present these skills in professional settings.
Participants receive a Skills Inventory Template to assess and track development over time. This model offers a replicable approach that integrates academic advising, career development, and employer-informed competencies to prepare students for impactful careers.