Student Veterans of America 2023 Leadership Institute Professional Development Event
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 8, 2023) – Student Veterans of America (SVA) hosted their highly anticipated 2023 Leadership Institute in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., from October 19 to 21, 2023. SVA’s Leadership Institute is the premier student leadership experience in the country. Year after year, this event brings together the top one percent of student veterans from across the nation for a comprehensive three-day leadership immersion.
We would like to extend immense gratitude to our sponsors at The Boeing Company, whose unwavering support for student veterans made this year’s Leadership Institute a reality. Their generous contributions have empowered us to facilitate this transformative program.
The Leadership Institute’s three-day journey commenced with an engaging general session, dubbed “All-Hands sessions,” led by our National President and CEO, Jared Lyon. Following Lyon’s inspiring address, we had the privilege of hearing from our esteemed SVA Board Chairperson, J. Ford Huffman, and SVA Chief Strategy Officer, Dave Bradt, who also happens to be the brains behind the SVA Leadership Institute and served as its Master of Ceremonies.
One of the hallmark features of the event is the pairing of Leadership Fellows with mentors and senior leadership fellows. These relationships don’t simply conclude when the Leadership Institute ends. Instead, it continues to evolve and thrive for months after the program’s conclusion.
Leadership Fellows have described this program as transformative, insightful, and a powerful leadership experience. Miranda Powell of George Washington University said, “My experience at the Leadership Institute has been so much fun… it’s been very educational.” Amond Bailey of Marshall University described his Leadership Institute experience as “Revolutionary and eye-opening,” elaborating that “[Leadership Institute] has forced me to do some intrinsic self- and soul-searching.”
Bringing together over 75 student veterans, now known as SVA Leadership Fellows, was an incredible undertaking. We take great pride in showcasing our nation’s capital and the myriad experiences it offers, both within the city and its surroundings. Our Leadership Fellows had the privilege of embarking on a nighttime memorial tour on the hallowed grounds of the National Mall and a graduation ceremony in the Library of Congress, creating lasting memories and forging deep connections. These connections strengthen the Leadership Institute experience and fosters a community that feels like family.
About Student Veterans of America
With a focused mission on empowering student veterans, Student Veterans of America® (SVA) is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom. Through a dedicated network of nearly 1,600 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and 4 countries representing more than 750,000 student veterans, SVA aims to inspire yesterday’s warriors by connecting student veterans with a community of like-minded chapter leaders. Every day these passionate leaders work to provide the necessary resources, network support, and advocacy to ensure student veterans can effectively connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential. For more information, visit us at www.studentveterans.org.