Sixteen Newman University students recently participated in the Kansas Leadership Center’s “Free Expressions” workshop on Nov. 7.
The experience, which featured a melting pot of perspectives from other college students, was designed to strengthen students’ leadership and communication skills by navigating conflict, building understanding and expressing ideas respectfully in group discussions.
Thanks to Newman President Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D., the university secured 16 of the highly sought-after seats, which are typically valued at $3,500 per participant.
Leading through dialogue
For many students, the experience was both eye-opening and empowering.
Natalia Lopez, a biochemistry major with a pre-veterinary focus, said she was “genuinely excited to be invited,” especially because the event was open to all Newman students, not just those in formal leadership positions.
“The title ‘Free Expressions’ immediately caught my attention because it reflects something I believe is essential to leadership; having the confidence and freedom to express your ideas and perspectives,” Lopez said. “As someone who values open dialogue and inclusion, I saw this as an incredible opportunity to learn more about how leaders can use their voices to inspire and empower others.”
During one of her most memorable moments of the day, Lopez helped spark a thoughtful exchange on freedom of speech in higher education.
“There was a part of the conference where we were learning about making interpretations to different prompts,” she explained. “I shared, ‘One interpretation could be that the decline in the percent of students who feel there is no freedom of speech on college campuses is due to this generation being more sensitive than previous generations, therefore more students don’t express their opinions due to fear of being judged.’”
After Lopez shared her perspective, the group dialogued in a full discussion and respectful debate.
“It was the best part of the conference because we had the most student engagement during this topic and everyone was very respectful in expressing their argument,” Lopez said.
Building real-world skills
Sophomore Kenzee Keeling, a criminal justice major with a psychology minor from Dodge City, said she attended the workshop eager to grow as a communicator and collaborator.
“I was excited to learn more about leadership and how to better myself for all that I am involved in,” Keeling said. “Even if you are not a ‘leader,’ knowing how to deal with conflict or working with others is something everyone should understand.”
Keeling is secretary/treasurer for the Campus Activities Board, a Student Government Association (SGA) senator and a peer guide for the Navigator program. She said the event helped her and her peers strengthen their problem-solving and teamwork abilities.
“I went (to the conference) with a lot of other SGA members, and we were able to collaborate with each other and think about conflict solving or how to deal with scenarios on campus,” she said.
Reflecting on her growth, Keeling added, “Dealing with certain people, scenarios and complications has allowed me to come up with various solutions, work with a lot of different people, and given me a better understanding of having to lead others and not just boss others around. A true leader learns how to work with others and learns to let others take the lead.”
Preparing for the future
For both students, the lessons learned through this and other Newman leadership opportunities extend far beyond the classroom. Lopez said the experience reinforced her belief that student voices play a vital role in shaping campus culture.
“This conference highlighted the importance of student voices and how much power they hold in shaping campus culture,” Lopez said. “Open dialogue encourages collaboration, understanding and growth; not just for one group, but for everyone in the university community.”
Lopez, who serves as president of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization and public relations chair for the SGA, said Newman’s emphasis on communication and community has directly prepared her for her future career in veterinary medicine.
“My dream is to become a veterinary surgeon,” she said. “My leadership experiences have taught me how to listen, collaborate and build trust — qualities that I believe are just as important in medicine as they are in leadership.”
Keeling echoed that sentiment, adding that the conference helped her develop the interpersonal and leadership skills needed for her own professional goals.
“I’m interested in crime scene investigation or forensic psychology,” she said. “Being a leader now is setting me up for taking lead when needed later on.”
More opportunities to come
The Kansas Leadership Center workshop is just one of many opportunities Newman University offers to help students grow as leaders. The next workshop will be March 27, 2026.
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