Events
Leadership Week 2026 is here! Join us February 16-20!
Our program this year features nearly 30 events, including our keynote speakers, Student Leaders Luncheon, workshops, lectures, and interactive events. See our full event schedule listed below or on the UCF calendar!
Jump to:
Monday, February 16, 2026
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Friday, February 20, 2026
Events are held at spaces in the Student Union, LEAD Scholars Academy in Ferrell Commons 165, and virtually. Leadership Week events are open to and encourage attendance from the whole UCF community, unless otherwise noted.
Looking for our full LEAD events calendar? Leadership Week events are color-coded yellow.
Monday, February 16, 2026
10:00am–11:00am | STEP@UCF: Volunteering with Canine Companions |Egmont Key Meeting Room, SU 224
Speaker: Carla Lozano
Learn about STEP@UCF, what we do and why! Learn about volunteer opportunities inside STEP@UCF as well as with Canine Companions.
11:00am–12:00pm| KEYNOTE: 100 Day Dream Home and Leadership Success with HGTV’s Brian Kleinschmidt | Key West Ballroom, SU 218
Keynote Speaker: Brian Kleinschmidt
Join us for a special keynote event featuring UCF alumnus and LEAD Scholar Brian Kleinschmidt (’04). Brian will share insights from his journey—from working construction jobs in college to becoming an HGTV star and successful entrepreneur. He’ll discuss how vision, resilience, and teamwork have shaped his leadership approach and helped him turn ambitious goals into reality. RSVP recommended: https://forms.gle/H2ihTKXddnuLL6dm9
Light refreshments served.
1:00pm–2:00pm | Unlock Your Confidence: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome | Blackstone Launchpad, SU
Speaker: Cassi Willard
Have you ever hesitated to apply for an opportunity, talk to someone, raise your hand in class, or take advantage of other opportunities? This session will help you identify aspects that may be holding you back from taking steps forward to unlock your full potential. Be prepared to discuss your strengths as well as places that feel like roadblocks for your future success.
2:00pm–3:00pm | RWC Challenge Course | Meet at Barbara Ying Center
The UCF Challenge Course program is committed to enhancing team-building, self-confidence, and leadership development through adventure-based learning experiences. Groups will work through our High Element Course, the Odyssey III and exit from our ziplines! Join us for this exclusive Leadership Week interactive event. 25 participant maximum.
RSVP and Waiver Required. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to event.
Link to Waiver and Medical Form
3:00pm–4:00pm | Confidence, Professionalism, and Growth: Building Your Academic Presence | Key West Ballroom, SU 218C
Speaker: Amaya Gattis
This workshop aims to help students develop their academic presence by exploring the roles communication, digital presence, resume building, networking, and professional habits have on professional and academic identity.
Light refreshments served.
4:00pm–5:00pm| Networking 101|Lead Scholars Academy, LEAD Lounge
Networking 101 is a beginner-friendly event designed to help students build confidence in professional conversations and make meaningful connections. Attendees will learn practical tips for introducing themselves, starting conversations, and networking with purpose.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
10:00am–11:00am | Future-Proof Leadership: Building Authentic Leaders Who Thrive and Empower Communities | Key West Ballroom, SU 218D
Speaker: Diali Coll-Mercado
In a world of rapid change and uncertainty, students need more than technical skills—they need the courage and clarity that come from leading authentically. This session will explore how authentic leadership, a framework grounded in self-awareness, balanced decision-making, relational transparency, and a values-driven core, can serve as a pathway to student success and well-being.
Light refreshments served.
10:30am–12:20pm | Deliberative Dialogue: Funding Issues in Title One Schools | Lead Scholars Academy, Black Classroom
Speaker: Dr. Haley Winston
Join us for a deliberative dialogue. Deliberative dialogue is a method of thinking and talking together. It is a way for individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives to come together to seek a shared understanding of a problem or issue and search for common ground and action.
11:00am–12:00pm | Multiliteracies for Collaboration: Takeaways from a Teacher Trainer | Key West Ballroom, SU 218C
Speaker: Dr. Christina Torres
Expanding the traditional definition of literacy, multiliteracies (New London Group, 1996) recognized that textual interpretation occurs within the intersection of student lifeworlds and multiple modes of expression. Decades later, multiliteracies continues to be relevant as a pedagogy (Learning by Design) and lens to empower students as critical thinkers and effective communicators (Cope & Kalantzis, 2023). In this 60-minute interactive lecture, learn how a multiliteracies perspective can be fruitful for inclusive collaboration, and brainstorm how to apply this lens towards your own projects related to community and culture in education.
Light refreshments served.
2:00pm–3:00pm | Busy is Broken: Choose Intentionally | Virtual
Speaker: Huda Qadri
Zoom link
This workshop will help future leaders rethink their relationship with time, opportunity, and ambition. At a university with thousands of opportunities, we’ll explore what really happens when you say yes to everything, and how that impacts your energy and long-term goals. Through interactive reflection and practical tools, participants will learn how to align their commitments with their values and embrace discernment as a strategy for success. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or torn between paths, this workshop will help you find intentional success.
5:00pm–7:00pm | LEAD Alumni Reception
The LEAD Alumni Reception brings current LEAD scholars and LEAD alumni together to foster meaningful connections and professional growth. Attendees will have the chance to network, exchange insights, and build lasting relationships. LEAD Scholar and Alumni exclusive event – RSVP and business casual attire required.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
10:00am–11:00am | Be a Leader: Community & Culture | Key West Ballroom, SU 218C
Speaker: Marika Koch
Student leaders have the power to create meaningful change. This workshop explores how service-learning can strengthen leadership skills, build community connections, and support academic and personal growth. Learn how to design impactful projects that align with your goals, engage peers, and make a lasting difference – on campus and beyond.
Light refreshments served.
12:30pm–1:30pm | LEAD Library | Lead Scholars Academy, LEAD Lounge
Step into a living library where people are the books! The LEAD Interactive Library brings together 12–15 dynamic storytellers who will share powerful personal stories, leadership journeys, career paths, and lessons from their own experiences or from influential leaders who inspired them. Each storyteller represents a “book,” and together they create the LEAD Library. Participants are invited to explore these stories, gain insight into diverse leadership experiences, and engage in meaningful, interactive conversations with each storyteller. Come ready to listen, learn, ask questions, and be inspired.
2:00pm–3:00pm | From Reflection to Action: The Discipline of Leadership | Key West Ballroom, SU 218D
Speaker: LTC Patrick Mulloy
This presentation explores the connection between self-reflection, and leadership. We draw on Army leadership principles from nearly two decades each of Active Duty service and from our current roles mentoring hundreds of UCF students in the Army ROTC program. We will demonstrate how personal habits, routines, and self-leadership directly translate into building resilient, forward-looking leaders. Students will learn how to set the conditions for their own success and for those they lead. This foundation equips them to sharpen judgment, strengthen resilience, and make bold, future-focused decisions for themselves, their teams, and their communities.
Light refreshments served.
2:00pm–3:50pm | Common Ground: A Journey Through Stories & Surprises | Lead Scholars Academy, Black Classroom
Speaker: Dr. Haley Winston
Discover connection, creativity, and curiosity at Common Ground, a vibrant experience where students explore personal values, traditions, and big questions in a welcoming, playful space. Through storytelling circles, interactive games, and hands-on art stations, participants build bridges across diverse worldviews—religious, spiritual, secular, and everything in between. No prior knowledge or experience needed. Just bring your open mind!
4:00pm–5:00pm | The bridgED Initiative: Create Your Own Workshop! | Lead Scholars Academy, Gold Classroom
Speaker: Ashley Liu
Join The bridgED Initiative, a UCF student organization dedicated to connecting education with real-world impact. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to design and lead your own community workshop or event, from concept to execution! We’ll guide you through our process for creating meaningful, skill-based volunteer opportunities that make a difference in local schools and organizations. Participants will gain hands-on experience in event planning, collaboration, and leadership development while earning volunteer hours and contributing to lasting community impact. Come learn how to turn your ideas into action, connect with like-minded UCF students, and help bridge the gap between higher education and the community!
5:00pm–6:00pm | LEAD Bingo Night | Lead Scholars Academy, Black Classroom
Bingo Night is a high-energy social event bringing members together for a night of games, laughs, and prizes. Join us for friendly competition, good vibes, and a chance to win fun giveaways.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
12:00pm–2:00pm | Student Leaders Luncheon with Signature Guest Speaker: Miss Florida 2025, Paris Richardson | RSVP Required | Key West Ballroom, SU 218
The 2026 Leadership Week Student Leaders Luncheon is an INVITE ONLY gathering recognizing outstanding student leaders across UCF. This event brings together a select group of students and campus partners for a special lunch featuring a distinguished speaker who will speak on leadership, growth, and impact. Business casual attire.
3:00pm–4:30pm | Modeling Resilience: Mental Health and Leadership | Lead Scholars Academy, Gold Classroom
Speaker: Tobey Smith
This 90 minute workshop will include a panel of 3-8 leaders from various professional backgrounds. The first 15 minutes will include opening remarks and introductions of the panelists. The first 30 minutes of the Q&A will be prepared questions from the Active Minds officer board about leadership, mental health, resilience, and burnout. We will then open up to student questions for another 30 minutes. The last 15 minutes will be for closing remarks, including promotion of student success and well-being resources at UCF.
4:30pm–5:30pm | Cards and Cupcakes Service Event | Lead Scholars Academy, Black Classroom
Cards and Cupcakes is a meaningful service event where participants write heartfelt cards, decorate cupcakes, and donate them to local elderly homes. This event spreads kindness, creativity, and joy while giving back to the senior community. **Leadership Week Credit OR 1 Service Hour**
6:00pm–7:00pm | Collaborative Poetry: The Power of Community in Writing | Lead Scholars Academy, Black Classroom
Speaker: Raiya Shaw
It’s no secret that poetry has innumerable positive effects on a person’s emotional well-being and is often described as a transformative art form. In this program, we’ll be focusing on the supportive literary community created by the Young Poets’ Society, and why the act of writing together both fosters rich connections, creates a welcoming atmosphere, allows members’ passion for writing to flourish, and contributes even further to a person’s mental well- being.
Light refreshments served.
Friday, February 20, 2026
9:00am–11:30am| Leadership Week Art Show | Garden Key, SU 221
Experience leadership through art at the Leadership Week Art Show—a vibrant creative showcase where participants express what leadership means to them through a wide range of artistic mediums. From bold visuals to thoughtful designs, each piece tells a unique leadership story.
Attendees are invited to explore the artwork, connect with the artists’ perspectives, and vote for their favorite pieces. The top three artists, as chosen by audience votes, will win Amazon gift cards. Come support creativity, celebrate leadership, and make your vote count!
Light refreshments served.
10:00am–11:00am| Mind Mapping Your Career: Visualize, Strategize, Achieve | **NOW IN LEAD GOLD Classroom, Ferrell Commons 165 (Moved from Egmont Key Meeting Room, SU 224)
Speaker: Alexandra Minnick
This interactive workshop empowers attendees to take control of their leadership and career development through the creative and strategic tool of mind mapping. By visually organizing their skills, interests, values, goals, and potential career paths, attendees will gain clarity, identify opportunities, and build actionable plans to thrive and grow. Using mind mapping techniques, attendees will create a personalized career map that serves as a living document to build their leadership skills, networking, career readiness, and decision making which contributes to their student success and personal well-being.
Light refreshments served.
11:30am–1:00pm | Building Scholarly Impact Through Ethical and Effective Research | Virtual
Speaker: Monal Patel
Zoom Link
This interactive session introduces participants to key principles of research design, data integrity, authorship ethics, and the scholarly publishing process. It aims to build confidence in conducting research that advances institutional goals, fosters collaboration, and upholds the highest standards of academic integrity.
2:30pm–3:30pm | UCF Guided Nature Walk | Lake Claire Pavilion
Have you ever wondered about the local flora and fauna? Join us for the final in-person event of Leadership Week 2026 as we take a relaxing walk across UCF’s campus to explore the beauty of the natural world around us. This thoughtful experience offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and connect with nature through fun and enriching outdoor exploration. All levels of experience are welcome as we come together to close out Leadership Week in a peaceful and meaningful way.
RSVP is required; only 12 spots available. If you sign up, you will be directed to a waiver and provided additional details.
3:00pm–4:00pm | LEAD Scholars Alumni Zoom Panel | Virtual
Zoom Link
The LEAD Alumni Zoom Panel brings together accomplished alumni for a dynamic conversation on career paths, industry experiences, and professional growth. As the final event of Leadership Week 2026, this interactive panel offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect, connect, and gain practical advice from professionals who have turned their LEAD experience into real-world success. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, explore diverse career journeys, and leave with insights they can apply to their own next steps.