Students and Faculty Inspired After NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference
![Students and Faculty Inspired After NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1701879506/notredamepa/jdkuxe6h43nrgen1msf7/IMG_1249.heic","width":2200}])
Elizabeth Winter
Four Notre Dame students and three faculty members flew out to St. Louis in late November, to gather with thousands of students and teachers from various Independent Schools around the globe as part of the annual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Color Conference.
Sophomore Maryam Laraki described the conference as life-changing.
"It created a safe space for me to learn and grow, to understand the power of small changes, and to appreciate the beauty of different cultures and religions," Maryam said.
Conference Attendees Maryam Laraki '26, Bella Turner '26, Cathy Molina '24, and Leah Gebrehiwot '25
Maryam said the conference made her grow as a person and more proud of her roots.
"I plan to apply what I've learned by promoting equality among our students and celebrating our diverse backgrounds," Maryam said.
Trip moderator and English faculty member Kathy Shaheen said the conference was a dynamic opportunity for her as an educator to learn from some amazing featured speakers and workshop leaders.
Trip Moderators Kathy Shaheen, Amy Wroblewski, and Stacy Kim
"Thousands of people from all over the country joined together with positivity, joy, and strength to reinforce participants' work in diversity, inclusion, and justice. It was so inspiring, and I came away with some great ideas! I would recommend any educator to attend this conference, as it was a really wonderful experience." Shaheen said.