Approximately one hundred delegates from 11 of the 12 Atlantic Coast Conference colleges and universities will gather on the Virginia Tech campus Feb. 20 through 22 for the Atlantic Coast Conference International Academic Collaborative (ACCIAC) Student Leadership Conference 2009.

The theme of the conference is “Civility in a Global Society: Going Pro.” During the conference, student leaders will have the opportunity to learn through intensive engagement in educational sessions, keynote addresses, topical content exploration, simulations, and experiential application.

Keynote speaker P.M. Forni, director of The Civility Initiative at Johns Hopkins University, will speak on the meaning of civility in a global society and illustrate the connections among civility, ethics, quality of life, and the rewards of fostering a culture of civility in today's workplace. In addition to his address to the ACCIAC conference, Forni will also lecture on “Choosing Civility” Friday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. in Brush Mountain Room A in Squires Student Center. The Virginia Tech Office for Equity and Inclusion, University Unions and Student Activities, and Athletics Student Life departments invite the university community and public to attend.

“The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has long supported the efforts of its member institutions in developing student leaders, through athletics and campus-life,” said Kim Timpany, associate director of leadership development at Virginia Tech and 2009 ACCIAC conference chair. “Through the support of the ACC, Virginia Tech is proud to host the Second Annual ACCIAC Student Leadership Conference.”

Other featured speakers for the conference include Charles W. Steger, president of Virginia Tech; Edward F. D. Spencer, vice president for student affairs at Virginia Tech; Edward Weisband, Edward S. Diggs Endowed Chair Professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech; Laura Sjoberg, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech; Kristin Eicholtz, career advisor in the Department of Career Services, and a number of invited guests from across the ACC colleges.

“Common experiences during the conference will allow us to explore a variety of topics, from discussions on etiquette from a variety of cultural perspectives, to the meaning of civility, to how to create effective civic changes on local and collaborative levels. The goal is to allow student leaders and the ACC campuses to work together to affect the revolutionizing global times in deeper and more fulfilling ways,” said Timpany. Delegates will also have a chance to explore Virginia Tech traditions, attend the university’s third annual gospel concert, and have dinner in Lane Stadium.

More information about the ACCIAC Leadership Conference 2009 is available online.

Seven Virginia Tech students accompanied Kim Timpany to the University of Virginia to participate in the 2008 conference in February 2008 photo. The Leadership Development Office has announced the following students as having been selected as 2009 Virginia Tech delegates and alternates. These students are among those who have accepted a role as Virginia Tech representative in the ACCIAC conference and are volunteering to support the events of the conference that weekend:

  • Sarah Jo Helms of Laurel Fork, Va., a senior majoring in agricultural sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences;
  • Bo Hart of Columbia, S.C., a sophomore majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences;
  • Adnan Barqawi of Kuwait City, Kuwait, a senior majoring in business management in the Pamplin College of Business who is the Hotel Company commander in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets;
  • Chris Ramos of Manassas, Va., a freshman majoring in business information technology in the Pamplin College of Business;
  • Peter Oh of Suffolk, Va., a freshman majoring in accounting in the Pamplin College of Business;
  • Daniel Raikin of Springfield, Va., a freshman majoring in finance in the Pamplin College of Business;
  • Sahir Jafri of Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, a freshman majoring in business information technology in the Pamplin College of Business; and
  • J. Zack Helmintoller of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., a sophomore majoring in accounting and information systems in the Pamplin College of Business.

Other students involved in the ACCIAC conference include Kate Petti and Camille Moreno who, along with Virginia Tech alumnus Thomas Will, have served on the planning team for the conference.

The ACCIAC conference is sponsored by ACCIAC, USA Today Education, Virginia Tech’s Division of Student Affairs and University Unions and Student Activities, with additional support from the Virginia Tech Services Inc., Virginia Tech Office for Equity and Inclusion, The Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, The Department of Horticulture (with support from Horticulture Professor Alan McDaniel’s floral design lab) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the International Studies Program at Virginia Tech.

The ACCIAC planning team is comprised of

  • Kim Timpany, chair and associate director of leadership development, University Unions and Student Activities;
  • Sandy Broughton, assistant director for marketing and communications, University Unions and Student Activities;
  • James Penven, associate director of residence life;
  • Ali Arner, assistant director of fitness and assessment, recreational sports;
  • Michele James-Deramo, director of service-learning Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships (CSECP);
  • Reyna Gilbert, assistant director for student life, Virginia Tech Athletics;
  • Ioannis Stivachtis, director international studies program; and
  • Laura Sjoberg, assistant professor, political science department.

About the ACCIAC: Athletics has brought together 12 global universities. In 1999 the presidents decided to encourage collaborations among other areas of the university, especially academics. The IAC coordinates these collaborations. Funded by a portion of the revenue from the ACC football championship (and administered directly by the presidents), the IAC emphasizes international and global affairs, especially study abroad and research in areas of the world where it isn’t feasible for a single university to sustain a full program. Other collaborative areas are Ph.D. student exchanges, a roundtable of chief technology officers, periodic conference calls among chief procurement officers, and an annual conference where undergraduate research projects are presented.

To learn more about the conference or additional ways Virginia Tech collaborates with the ACCIAC should contact Kim Timpany at (540) 231-4065. To learn more about an associated upcoming program from the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention contact Jerzy Nowak, Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention (540) 231-2345.

IMAGE INFORMATION: Virginia Tech delegates to the 2008 ACCIAC Student Leadership Conference

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