ACC Student Leadership Symposium
About the Symposium
This annual event is a three-day leadership conference that hosts delegations from each of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) colleges and universities. Students who attend the event network with other leaders, learn about social change, and engage in leadership workshops.
The symposium, funded by a portion of the ACC football championship game’s revenue and hosted on a rotating basis within the ACC, emphasizes engaging students from all ACC institutions in leadership development.
Why apply to attend this experience?
This symposium offers a unique experience to collaborate with other passionate students on current issues affecting college students today. Through this experience, you will have an opportunity to learn from other student leaders, reflect on the symposium's theme, and present your experiences to Virginia Tech administration.
Students who are selected to attend the ACC Student Leadership Symposium are required to:
- Attend all preparation meetings prior to the symposium,
- Attend the 3-day symposium,
- Present to Virginia Tech administrators about their experience, and
- Attend a reflection meeting following the symposium.
Selection Process
Five student delegates are selected to represent Virginia Tech each year. The application and interview process is rigorous. Students from a variety of campus involvement will be selected to showcase the breadth of leadership at the university. Typically, at least one student per class is selected. *Please note, this is exclusively an undergraduate student experience.
Applications open on August 18! They will close on September 12 at 5 p.m.
2025 ACC Student Leadership Symposium
The 2025 symposium was hosted by Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. The theme, “Accelerating Community Change”, inspired students to think critically about community-centric systems, enacting change in an ethical and positive way, and kickstarting initiatives as student leaders on a college campus.
Virginia Tech’s 2025 Delegates
2026 ACC Student Leadership Symposium
The 2026 ACC Student Leadership Symposium will be hosted by Virginia Tech February 6-8 at Blacksburg, Virginia. The theme is Grounded in Growth, Strengthened Through Change. Given the state of uncertainty in our world, there is not a more important time for individuals to increase their understanding of one’s leadership identity to manage challenges and lead others. When navigating adversity, accessing resilience and growth can help leaders inhabit a trustworthy and adaptable spirit, giving them capacity to serve others. The goal is to have participants ground themselves through identifying sources of motivation and who they are. In knowing their strengths, they will be more receptive to growth and take ownership when adversity leads to change. Virginia Tech’s hope is participants feel driven and equipped to share what they have learned from the ACC Student Leadership Symposium to create resilient and conscious leaders that uplift others in their communities.
This creates a network of leaders who are grounded in growth and strengthened through change. Major key words and concepts include resilience, self-understanding, uplifting others, and adaptability. As well as the ideas of becoming something new, something stronger; identifying what makes you, you; highlighting the transformative nature of change, allowing for evolution.
2026 Student Conference Coordinators
Key Learning Objectives
- Expand Understanding of their Leadership Identity and CliftonStrengths
- Explore New Approaches to Navigating Adversity in Leadership Contexts
- Understand Where We Came from and What We Overcame to Better Understand Our Current Selves
- Develop Strategies to Advocate Alongside Others Experiencing Adversity
- Supporting Leadership Identity and Development in Others
What to Expect
- Interactive Workshops
- Service Engagement
- Speakers Case Study
- CliftonStrengths
Further updates will be announced in the coming months for attendees. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Tony Trimpe or Meghan Weyrens Kuhn for more information.
Requests for accommodations & other questions
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, welcome! Please contact our team at tonytrimpe@vt.edu or 540-231-9186 at least 10 business days before the on-campus meeting or the symposium during regular business hours to discuss your request(s).
All other questions about this experience can be directed to our team as well. We look forward to having you participate in our programs!
Requests for accommodations & other questions
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, welcome! Please contact our team at tonytrimpe@vt.edu or 540-231-9186 at least 10 business days before the on-campus meeting or the symposium during regular business hours to discuss your request(s).