Women*s Initiative for Leadership Development

The Women*s Initiative for Leadership Development (or WILD) is a student leadership initiative facilitated by the office of Women*s Student Services at Michigan State University. The vision of WILD is to connect, engage, and prepare women* students at MSU to be agents of social change on campus, in the community, and for broader society.

There are two components of WILD

  1. The WILD Conference - a day-long leadership development conference with breakout sessions, workshops, keynote speakers, and a networking lunch, and,
  2. WILD Workshops (on Thursday evenings) - a 6-week leadership workshop series held twice during the academic year, before the WILD Conference in the fall and in the spring.

 

wild 2022 poster

 

Dolores Huerta

We are also THRILLED to share that the WILD 2022 Keynote Speaker was: DOLORES HUERTA! Dolores Huerta is a civil rights activist and community organizer. She has worked for labor rights and social justice for over 50 years. In 1962, she and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers union. She served as Vice President and played a critical role in many of the union's accomplishments for four decades. In 2002, she received the Puffin/Nation $100,000 prize for Creative Citizenship which she used to establish the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF). DHF is connecting groundbreaking community-based organizing to state and national movements to register and educate voters; advocate for education reform; bring about infrastructure improvements in low-income communities: advocate for greater equality for the LGBT community; and create strong leadership development. She has received numerous awards: among them The Eleanor Roosevelt Humans Rights Award from President Clinton in 1998. In 2012 President Obama bestowed Dolores with The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

We are HONORED to have Dolores Huerta with us for the 2022 Conference! Register at the link above to see her live talk at the WILD Conference.

  • What does WILD stand for?

    WILD stands for Women*s Initiative for Leadership Development.

     

  • When and where is the WILD Conference?

    The 2022 Conference is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 2022. A detailed schedule of the events that day will be posted to our website, msuwildconference.com. It will show all of the presenter information, topics, and info about our keynote speakers.

     

  • What is the schedule for the WILD 2022 Conference?

    The schedule for the WILD 2022 Conference on Sunday, 11/06/22 will be:

    11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Check-in

    11:30AM - 12:30 PM Opening & Student Keynote with served lunch

    12:30 PM - 12:40 PM Bio Break & Networking Opportunity

    12:40 PM - 1:40 PM Breakout Session Block #1

    1:40 PM - 1:50 PM Bio Break & Networking Opportunity

    1:50 PM - 2:50 PM Breakout Session Block #2

    2:50 PM - 3:00 PM Bio Break & Networking Opportunity

    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Keynote Address with Coffee & Cookies

    4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Closing

  • Who can attend this conference?

    All undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, or alumni in the MSU community that are interested in leadership development associated with gender equity are welcome to attend. Space is limited.

     

  • How much does it cost to attend WILD 2021?

    ALL MSU students will receive a sponsored registration. Faculty, staff, and non-MSU students will pay a $25 registration fee. 

  • How do I register for the WILD Conference?

    Registration is open now linked here!

  • I do not identify as a woman. Am I allowed to attend this conference?

    YES! The goal of the WILD Conference and Women's Student Services is support all students in working toward an empowering and equitable community on campus. We recognize that gender is a social construct often used to exclude or oppress. We prefer an expansive and inclusive view of gender, and welcome all who identify as cis, trans, and genderqueer into the WILD Conference and Women*s Student Services events.

     

  • Who are the keynote speakers?

    The 2022 Keynote Speaker is Dolores Huerta! We will announce the Student Keynote Speaker soon.

  • What should I wear to the WILD Conference?

    Whatever you want! We will have an opportunity for networking and professional headshots, so whatever you want to wear for that.

     

  • I have questions about this conference. Who should I contact?

    You can contact the staff of Women*s Student Services by calling +1 517-432-7555 or by emailing us at wss@msu.edu.

     

  • How do I stay up to date with this conference?

    You can stay informed about the keynote, educational sessions, and other aspects of WILD by following us through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

    Throughout the day of the conference, we encourage you to share your experience on social media! Tag us at #MSUWILDConference or #MSUWILD2022, and we will feature you on our social media channels. Additionally, share pictures of the promotional materials we send you!

Conference photo

Interested in getting involved in the planning of WILD 2022?

Join us at WILD Workshops on Thursdays in Room 110 of the Student Services Building from 6:00PM-7:30PM!

WILD