Wayne Community College recently hosted a meeting for students of all backgrounds to learn about global leadership.
The North Carolina Association of International Educators (NCAIE) Global Leadership and International Engagement Student Conference connects both undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about working across cultures and further developing a global mindset. The conference helps them gain knowledge and build relationships so they can further engage in global leadership.
Several members of WCC’s Scholars of Global Distinction attended the conference. As Global Scholars, these students learn to work effectively across international contexts and industries through globally intensive courses and activities.
The 2025 conference theme was “Ignite the Change: Lead Local, Impact Global.”
The conference began with story circles, where students and instructors engaged in dialogue to share their perspectives on different themes. The participants, many of whom were international students, connected with those in their group by learning more about their unique stories.
Breakout sessions featuring interactive presentations were held throughout the day as well.
The NCAIE student conference is organized and executed by a small group of students from various North Carolina colleges and universities. WCC student Diamond Simmons was on the student leadership team and was responsible for helping plan the event.
Simmons was also selected to present at the conference. Her presentation was titled “Ignite the Mission: Unlock the Leader Within.”
“I enjoyed being able to present and have a leadership role,” Simmons shared. “In my session, we did a group activity where students wrote down ways to improve education, health, and the economy globally and locally. I had an amazing time being able to speak about leadership and why it matters.”
About NCAIE
NCAIE is a professional organization of over 600 administrators, educators, and community volunteers committed to promoting the cause of international education in North Carolina. The mission of NCAIE is to support and enhance the effectiveness of professionals and volunteers who advocate for the education of international students and scholars, and international educational and cultural exchange.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.