Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Conference
Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Conference
An energizing weekend of collaboration, skill-building, and celebrating the University’s exceptional volunteers.
The 2024 Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Conference Planning Committee
Over 265 volunteers from across the University gathered for the fourth biennial Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) Leadership Conference, June 7-8 on the River Campus. The conference, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement, brought together individuals who volunteer in various roles across the institution, including as admissions interviewers, career mentors, advisory and leadership board members, Reunion committee volunteers, Memorial Art Gallery docents, URMC volunteers, regional network leaders, and more.
Over 265 volunteers from across the University gathered for the fourth biennial Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) Leadership Conference, June 7-8 on the River Campus. The conference, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement, brought together individuals who volunteer in various roles across the institution, including as admissions interviewers, career mentors, advisory and leadership board members, Reunion committee volunteers, Memorial Art Gallery docents, URMC volunteers, regional network leaders, and more.
The 2024 Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Conference Planning Committee
The 2024 VIP Leadership Conference was filled with energy and excitement as we gathered to celebrate our exceptional volunteers.``
-Karen Chance Mercurius, vice president of alumni and constituent engagement
”The 2024 VIP Leadership Conference was filled with energy and excitement as we gathered to celebrate our exceptional volunteers,” says Karen Chance Mercurius, vice president of alumni and constituent engagement. “This year’s dynamic conference featured 48 programs with 70 speakers, panelists, and tour hosts. The speakers, topics, and audience truly reflected the diversity of the University of Rochester community. Volunteers not only left with a sense of pride but also gained skills through our newly developed leadership competencies.”
The weekend featured a number of signature programs including: Leading with Purpose: Empowering Others to Create Lasting Change featuring keynote remarks from Vice President of Community Partnerships Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD), and moderated conversation with University Trustee Curtis Johnson ’88; Boundless Possibility: A Conversation with the University Provost and Deans featuring David Figlio, Wendi Heinzelman, Lisa Kitko, Sarah Peyre, and Nicole Sampson; Welcome Reception + Celebration of Volunteers Dinner, with remarks by President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf; Cultivating Respectful Dialogue: Free Expression and Inclusion in Higher Education featuring a conversation with Lara Schwartz, attorney, professor, and free-speech advocate, and Maha Elgenaidi, an activist and educator, moderated by Adrienne Morgan ’13W (PhD), vice president for equity and inclusion; Gathering to Create Belonging featuring Priya Parker, author and facilitator, in conversation with Tiffany R. Taylor ’91; and Be Boundless: Today’s Students with John Blackshear, vice president of student life featuring current graduate and undergraduate students.
Also at the conference, the Student Alumni Ambassador (SAA) program celebrated its 15th anniversary with over 80 current and former members in attendance. Each year, the SAA program recruits and deploys a select group of undergraduate students from the College to serve as liaisons with the University’s alumni community.
To close out the weekend, volunteers gathered on the Fraternity Quad for ‘Meliora Fest’ with a volunteer expo, local band BB Dang featuring two University of Rochester graduates, and the opportunity to connect and celebrate with fellow volunteers. The VIP Leadership Conference takes place every other year and will return to the River Campus in June 2026.
Volunteers participating in an improv-focused breakout session, led by Tim Ryan.
Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD), speaking on effective leadership through empowering others.
Current and former Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) gathered for a 15th anniversary photo.
”The 2024 VIP Leadership Conference was filled with energy and excitement as we gathered to celebrate our exceptional volunteers,” says Karen Chance Mercurius, vice president of alumni and constituent engagement. “This year’s dynamic conference featured 48 programs with 70 speakers, panelists, and tour hosts. The speakers, topics, and audience truly reflected the diversity of the University of Rochester community. Volunteers not only left with a sense of pride but also gained skills through our newly developed leadership competencies.”
The weekend featured a number of signature programs including: Leading with Purpose: Empowering Others to Create Lasting Change featuring keynote remarks from Vice President of Community Partnerships Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD), and moderated conversation with University Trustee Curtis Johnson ’88; Boundless Possibility: A Conversation with the University Provost and Deans featuring David Figlio, Wendi Heinzelman, Lisa Kitko, Sarah Peyre, and Nicole Sampson; Welcome Reception + Celebration of Volunteers Dinner, with remarks by President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf; Cultivating Respectful Dialogue: Free Expression and Inclusion in Higher Education featuring a conversation with Lara Schwartz, attorney, professor, and free-speech advocate, and Maha Elgenaidi, an activist and educator, moderated by Adrienne Morgan ’13W (PhD), vice president for equity and inclusion; Gathering to Create Belonging featuring Priya Parker, author and facilitator, in conversation with Tiffany R. Taylor ’91; and Be Boundless: Today’s Students with John Blackshear, vice president of student life featuring current graduate and undergraduate students.
Also at the conference, the Student Alumni Ambassador (SAA) program celebrated its 15th anniversary with over 80 current and former members in attendance. Each year, the SAA program recruits and deploys a select group of undergraduate students from the College to serve as liaisons with the University’s alumni community.
To close out the weekend, volunteers gathered on the Fraternity Quad for ‘Meliora Fest’ with a volunteer expo, local band BB Dang featuring two University of Rochester graduates, and the opportunity to connect and celebrate with fellow volunteers. The VIP Leadership Conference takes place every other year and will return to the River Campus in June 2026.
Volunteers participate in an improv-focused breakout session, led by Tim Ryan, Improv Faculty and Vice President, North Coast Claim Services, Inc.
Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD), Vice President for Community Partnerships, Professor, and William & Sheila Konar Director of the Center for Urban Education Success, speaking on effective leadership through empowering others.
Current and former Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) gathered on the Eastman Quad steps.
—Rita Mannelli, June 2024