Florida State University hosted the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Student Leadership Symposium, a three-day symposium centered around the theme “Accelerating Community Change.” The annual symposium connects students across ACC universities to share leadership strategies and knowledge regarding a specific social issue.
Spearheaded by FSU’s Center for Leadership & Service, 110 students from 17 universities gathered Friday, Feb. 7, at Westcott Plaza with a welcome reception that included performances by FSU’s Golden Girls & Company Dance Team, the Marching Chiefs and Flying High Circus.
“The ACC values excellence on and off the field,” said Jim Clark, FSU provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Through initiatives like this symposium, we invest in the future by developing leaders who can inspire change and make a difference. The relationships you build and the knowledge you gain here will equip you to make an impact in your communities and beyond.”
Annually, five undergraduate student leaders from each school are selected to attend the symposium accompanied by a faculty or staff advisor from their school.
FSU Student Body President Jackson Boisvert, who was also an FSU delegate at last year’s symposium held at the University of Virginia, addressed the students.
“Each of you earned your spot through a competitive selection process and that speaks volumes about your leadership, passion and potential to make a difference,” Boisvert said. “Just like in sports, leadership is a team effort. The people around you this weekend — your peers, your advisors and our speakers — are part of your team. Lean on them, learn from them and take this opportunity to grow together.”
Florida State was the first institution to officially host the codified symposium in 2006. This marks the third time FSU has held the distinction of host school, with the last time being in 2010.
“FSU was proud to share our incredible practices, resources and thought leaders to offer attendees community-engaged leadership development and real-world application of addressing social issues,” said Erin Sylvester Philpot, program director for leadership for FSU’s Center for Leadership & Service.
FSU alumnus Fred Flowers delivered the keynote “Leadership Takes Courage” on Saturday. He encouraged the delegates to work as hard as they can with what they have right where they are.
During the symposium, students and advisors explored creating meaningful change in their communities and campuses. They chose from three session tracks focused on individual, group or community skills, all held at the FSU Student Union.
“A lot of what we focus on at Florida State, from my own perspective, is creating connection and then finding, through that connection, solutions through all the different perspectives and ideas that exist within our communities,” said Hillary Harbauer, an FSU junior, campus liaison and former delegate.
The mission of the ACC Student Leadership Symposium is to develop a community of ACC undergraduate students who understand the relationship between global and local issues and work to create innovative initiatives that advance their capacity for global leadership. Institutions take turns hosting the annual symposium and leading the programming for student leadership learning.
“Through collaboration, creativity and collegiality we curated a showcase of just a few of the programs, research and experiences that make FSU a beacon of community-engaged leadership in the ACC,” Sylvester Philpot said.
The universities in attendance at this year’s symposium included students and advisors from:
- Boston College
- Clemson University
- Duke University
- Florida State University
- Georgia Tech
- North Carolina State University
- Southern Methodist University
- Syracuse University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Louisville
- University of Miami
- University of North Carolina
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Tech
- Wake Forest