On Saturday, Feb. 15, Stetson hosted the Phoenix Generation Conference — a dynamic gathering designed to inspire, equip and support the next generation of leaders through civic engagement, community organizing and positive activism.

Sixty-six Stetson students, alongside faculty and staff, joined more than 400 peers from 10 Central Florida campuses — including the University of Central Florida, Full Sail University, Valencia College, Rollins College and the University of Tampa. This event was made possible through the generosity of the Ginsburg Family Foundation. Special thanks go to the Ginsburg Fellows on each campus, whose leadership was instrumental in making this conference a reality.

Keynote speakers shared their unique approach to making positive change: through research, elected office, dialogue, or art. Maria Salamanca, the youngest District 2 representative in Orange County Public Schools history, urged attendees to reject the “tyranny of perfection,” reminding them that “no generation will be known for having a flawless ideology and getting everything right. Your greatest potential as a generation is to become architects of imperfect bridges.”

Joseph Pool, Student Government President at Rollins College, helped the conference build some of those imperfect bridges during the “Breaking Bread” dialogue, where participants explored generational biases and assumptions about age over lunch.

The conference’s thirty breakout sessions tackled a range of topics, including faith and politics, responding to hate and Native peace practices. In State Representative Anna Eskamani’s session, students crafted their personal “Why” statements for enacting social change.

Shira Hoffer, founder of the Institute for Multipartisan Education, guided students in developing skills for engaging in curious disagreement. Stetson’s own Rina Arroyo, chief of Staff and Senior Development officer, and Taylor Hibel, associate director for Community Engagement, led workshops designed for educators and campus leaders, reflecting the conference’s broad appeal to both students and professionals.

The day’s events were rounded out with a community fair, featuring internship and job opportunities with local community partners, and Phoenix Fest — a night-time festival complete with multiethnic food trucks, games and music.

The Phoenix Generation Conference also served as this year’s Bonner Sophomore Exchange, a key annual gathering where Stetson Bonner sophomores join peers from Rollins College and the University of Tampa to build community and learn together. Bonner program directors and staff from across Florida, including Taylor Hibel and Mallory Holland (Stetson), Victoria Teske (Rollins College) and Ian McGinnity (University of Tampa) led an educator workshop on facilitating student development and program alignment together.

Waniya Hussain, a Stetson Bonner Program student and a Ginsburg Fellow, shared the importance of the Phoenix Generation Conference.

“My experience was truly transformative,” she said. “Sharing ideas and experiences made me feel part of something larger and strengthened my sense of community. I was honored to facilitate three breakout sessions, which deepened my understanding of effective writing and interfaith beliefs. The insights I gained will stay with me far beyond the conference.”

By blending true student leadership with institutional and community collaboration, the Phoenix Generation Conference ignited a renewed commitment among students and educators to create meaningful change in the world.

– Caitlin Swann