California

2011 Asian & Pacific Islander Leadership Conference Enriches Students

Students learned the importance of continuing self-development, meeting challenges with confidence, and having a mentor at the 2011 Asian & Pacific Islander Leadership Conference, sponsored by the State Farm Diamond Heights Agency Field Office.

State Farm Agency Executive Cindy Stronks provided the keynote address which included a discussion of leadership traits and competencies, while sharing her own experience of meeting opportunities in her career at State Farm.

“I really enjoyed interacting with the young people on the campus,” said Stronks, who is also a Cal Poly Alumna. “They asked some great questions and really seem to have a focus on where they are going.”

The conference held at Cal Poly State University in Pomona also provided over 50 students with the opportunity to meet on campus with three deans, all of Asian or Pacific Islander decent.

The deans explained how they chose their career path and what they did to get to where they are today. All three said they did not start the journey with the mission to become deans, but when an opportunity arose they stepped through the door and met the opportunity “head on.”

In addition to hearing from the speakers, students participated in sessions dedicated to the topics of understanding leadership and breaking the “minority” myth, building a great resume, and the importance around having a mentor.

State Farm Public Affairs Specialist Felicia Van Frank and Agency Recruiter Grace Shin had an opportunity to talk with students about State Farm opportunities in between sessions.

“Being a part of a growing community is important to State Farm,” said Van Frank. “We want to help young people see and experience the value of State Farm, the type of organization we are and the opportunities that are available to them.”

“We really appreciate the relationship that we have been able to build with State Farm over the past year,” said Nicole Forrest Boggs, director of development at Cal Poly.