NCCWSL

NCCWSL 2025 Conference
May 28-May 30, 2025

The AAUW Texas Branch awarded 14 SHARE Scholarships for students from 5 colleges to attend the 2025 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). NCCWSL is now being coordinated by NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The students were chosen by their Academic Advisors and were accompanied to the conference by Michele Taylor and Glenda Higgins who are members of the West Harris County Branch. It was a pleasant experience to spend time with and get to know such a diverse group of young ladies from Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, Texas Wesleyan University, Prairie View A&M University, and Del Mar College. I was honored to present a session on the Importance of Mentoring, and it was an actual presentation of Mentor/Mentee relationship. I invited four students (Alexandra Bennett, Katherine Hernandez, Kerianna Chambers and Kenadi Walker) to assist in making the session come alive by being my co-presenters.

The NCCWSL Conference was very inspiring, and the students were mature and professional throughout the weekend. The students came away from the conference with increased confidence, motivation, knowledge, and inspiration to embark upon new opportunities that will enhance their future careers. The students submitted reports expressing the impact the conference had on their outlook for personal and professional life. Below are excerpts from each student’s report that conveys their experiences.

Maira Athar, Texas A&M University.  Attending the 2025 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders was a once in a lifetime experience that gave me both practical tools and new ways of thinking about leadership, career planning, and personal finance that I can apply throughout my career to achieve financial literacy and independence. This ties directly into my role as director of finance for our AAUW campus chapter for the 2025-2026 academic year. NCCWSL created the perfect environment to not just “connect” with peers but have genuine meaningful shared experiences and memories. The TerpZone and touring the city allowed us to create time for fun with real connections. We are planning a financial literacy workshop on budgeting and salary negotiation using a breakout session manual. We are also proposing a mentorship network that matches students’ academic and leadership interests.

Alexandra Bennett, Texas Wesleyan. The breakout session “Transitioning from College to Corporate Girly’’ helped me recognize I am equipped to transition from my upcoming college graduation to the upcoming work world. Additionally, I had the opportunity to help lead a presentation based on the importance of mentorship and being a mentee. This experience was encouraging because I am usually shy. It was empowering to take charge and lead the room in such an important presentation. I thank AAUW for my growth, the new challenges, and networking opportunities. This was a wonderful experience that was life changing.

Kaila Cavazos-Guerra, Del Mar College. I am returning to my college community with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. I’m committed to implementing what I’ve learned and creating opportunities for others to lead, grow, and thrive. Whether through organizing events, mentoring peers, or advocating for policy changes on campus, I’m motivated to make a tangible impact. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend NCCWSL. It was not only enjoyable and enriching but also deeply meaningful. This experience has fueled my determination to lead with courage, authenticity, and compassion—and I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next.

Keriana Chambers, Prairie View A&M University, I had the amazing chance to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). It was powerful and had a profound effect on me, influencing how I view mentorship, leadership, and financial well-being. I have gained a great deal of knowledge, motivation, and a fresh feeling of purpose from this experience. I learned practical leadership skills, such as how to advocate for others and yourself, lead with confidence, and handle difficulties with dignity and purpose. The worship and empowerment workshops focused on leadership and personal development, including my leadership identity, my spiritual, mental, and emotional development. I valued the discussions on managing student debt, establishing credit, and long-term financial security. Since financial independence is also a type of empowerment, we were urged to take deliberate and informed charge of our financial future. I left the conference resolved to both seek advice and become a mentor myself. At NCCWSL, I met incredible ladies, while networking with students, professionals, and advocates. I am extremely appreciative of AAUW’s sponsorship and belief in the development of female leaders.

Savannah Dod, Texas A&M University.  My experience at NCCWSL was life-changing, to say the least. Not only was this my first solo trip, but it was also the first time I had ever been to a conference. This experience allowed me to navigate being in an unfamiliar environment, as well as increased my confidence when I was networking with others. More importantly, being surrounded by so many brilliant, brave, courageous, strong, and inspiring women truly made me feel proud to find myself in such an empowering space. As a first-generation American college student, attending NCCWSL with so many other aspiring leaders from around the world felt so surreal, and it was the first time in my college experience where I felt like I had made it. As the AAUW Philanthropy executive this upcoming semester, hearing the women leaders talk about their experience motivated me to be the best leader that others can look up to and respect. I am so grateful I had this opportunity to share with the other Texas A&M AAUW members and the women I got to connect with at NCCWSL. I will never forget my overall experience at this incredible conference.

Katherine Hernandez, Texas Wesleyan University. I learned from some truly inspiring women and heard powerful stories that shifted my perspective.  Jhenai Chandler, Gloria L. Blackwell, Michele Taylor, and Daria J. Willis left a lasting impact on me. My favorite session was “Start Smart Salary Negotiation” by Deborah McCall, AAUW demonstrated the importance of advocating for yourself when being interviewed for a job. I was excited to assist Dr. Michele Taylor in her presentation about the impact of mentorship. It was an impactful experience, and I am grateful for such incredible mentorship during the process. One of the best parts was connecting with many amazing college women nationwide and worldwide. The energy was full of curiosity, encouragement, and genuine support. I made a close connection with Joselyn, a student from Utah and we have become good friends. As the Vice President of the AAUW Club at Texas Wesleyan University, I plan to create a workshop and to collaborate with career services to host a dinner to bring awareness about the gender pay gap and salary negotiation tips. I am inspired with passion to grow into the best version of myself.

Linda Ibarra, Del Mar College.  The NCCWSL conference was both informative and educational. I learned new ideas to address and improve my leadership skills. I would have liked to attend all breakout sessions. It impressed me that Leadership is empowerment and getting involved is a pathway to my future. I am currently a member and an officer of our active AAUW student organization. I am grateful and honored that we have AAUW at Del Mar College.

Siri Krothapalli, Texas A&M University.  As I aspire to go into medicine as an OB/GYN, this conference confirmed that I was on the right tract. To be an advocate for my patients, I need to be a feminist and have to be an advocate for all women before I can ensure that I am able to reap the rewards of the change that is implemented.

Elsie Nunez, Texas Wesleyan University. Attending NCCWSL was an inspiring experience that deepened my understanding of leadership and personal growth. I was able to connect and network with various individuals throughout the conference, which made the experience unforgettable. This conference has empowered me to apply what I’ve learned to my career path, by fostering meaningful connections and embracing new opportunities.

Raja Dharshini Saravanan, Texas A&M University. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the NCCWSL conference. I learned about personal finance and salary negotiation, which I found beneficial due to the lack of financial literacy about different types of credits, how to budget, and saving money. Listening to inspiring stories from successful women of color was immensely empowering and motivating to work hard for positive change to achieve equity, diversity, and equal opportunity in the workplace. I look forward to bringing the skills and experiences I learned at the conference to the Texas A&M AAUW Branch to create a positive impact on my fellow members. Again, I want to express my gratitude towards AAUW and North Harris County for sponsoring my travel to the conference.

The following students also were sponsored by AAUW Texas Branch and the college or local AAUW Branch to attend the NCCWSL 2025 conference at the University of Maryland.

  • Anai Austin, Del Mar College, Business Administration & Entrepreneurship
  • Wynter McBride, Texas Southern University, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority

Participation (LSAMP) Scholar

  • Allison Shackelford, Texas Southern University, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar
  • Kenadi Walker, Texas Southern University, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority
    Participation (LSAMP) Scholar

Michele Taylor,
West Harris County Branch,
Secretary and Texas State College/University Partners Representative