SLU students joined in the events at the CUNY Student Women’s Leadership Conference last month, a one-day whirlwind of speakers and networking. SLU Director of Student and Community Affairs Rochel Pinder was proud that five students attended this year, the largest number yet for the annual event. Several student attendees shared their takeaways.
Akeisha Neely, M.A. Urban Studies
One of the many moments that really stayed with me from the CUNY Women’s Leadership Conference was the session led by CUNY Trustee Mayra Linares-Garcia. Her message about not allowing yourself to feel small in any room was both grounding and empowering. She broke down the principles of networking in a way that made it feel less intimidating and more about authentic connection. I appreciated how she reframed networking as relationship-building rather than a performance. I also had the opportunity to connect with her afterward and exchange contact information, which felt like a great step toward building my professional network.
Another highlight was the closing remarks delivered by Denise Maybank, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at CUNY. Her words were uplifting, motivating, and deeply affirming. She emphasized the power of self-belief, community, and persistence, and it felt like the perfect note to end the day on. It was a reminder that leadership looks different for every woman and that our stories matter.
I attended the conference with the goal of gaining confidence in navigating professional spaces and expanding my network with other women across CUNY. I can honestly say that I achieved both. I left the conference feeling more confident, more connected, and more intentional about how I show up in academic and professional environments.
Since leaving the conference, I have been reflecting on how important it is for women at CUNY to build supportive networks, share resources, and create spaces where we uplift each other instead of feeling like we have to carry everything alone. The conference reminded me that leadership is not about doing everything by yourself. It’s about building community and stepping into your voice with confidence.
Rina Cummings, B.A. Labor Studies
It was really nice to represent my school. The speakers were good, and the resume workshop. It was pretty cool — all the women, pom-poms on all the seats. That was fun. The panels were filled with really exceptional students, and very diverse. The first female student union president at the College of Staten Island was there.
The workshops were very useful. The resume workshop was definitely impressive. I took some notes. It’s nice to have all of those details because our society and economy is constantly changing, and we have to be able to bend along with it. I learned your LinkedIn profile can have a QR code.
I happened to find another friend of mine at the conference. We’re in the same chapter of the Greater New York Council for the Blind and she goes to BMCC.
I was glad that I’m available, which is why I’m trying to absorb as much as I can, because I have the luxury of not being mandated to be at work right now. I’m trying to make use of that as much as I can.
Sonia Rodriguez, B.A. Urban Studies
Attending the CUNY Women’s Conference was honestly such a beautiful experience, and I was really grateful to be there. The interactive workshops were my favorite part. Being in a room full of women talking, sharing, and learning together reminded me how much real human interaction matters for growth.
I went in with a simple goal: to learn how to network smarter. I wanted to hear from people who do this intentionally and confidently, and I walked away with practical tips I can actually use. But what surprised me most was the feeling of being surrounded by so many powerful women leaders. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a space like that before. It made me realize that women’s leadership is truly part of CUNY’s identity.
Since the conference, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own place within CUNY. For the first time, I’m imagining what it might look like to build a career here, something I never considered before. Being in that space made me feel like there is room for me, and it opened up a new sense of possibility about where I belong and what I can grow into.