By Grace Chenxin Liu, YAC Member
“From passion to action,” we generated growth and impact at the 2024 National Service-Learning Conference! The conference stands as the largest and most comprehensive global gathering for service-learning educators, nonprofit leaders, administrators, students, and beyond. This year, the event graced the beautiful city of Saint Paul, MN. The conference has left a lasting positive mark on everyone in some way, whether it was wiping tears from my eyes during the presentation from Kao Kalia Yang, remembering to never underestimate the impact of service-learning during a plenary panel, or the engaging and informative lightning talks, workshops, and showcases, I know I had so many takeaways!
If I were to encapsulate my experiences at the two National Service-Learning Conferences I’ve attended thus far, I’d label my time at the 2023 conference as a period of “passion,” whereas the 2024 conference could be aptly described as a journey of “action.” At the 2023 Conference, I served as the emcee of a plenary session and delivered a lightning talk (akin to a professional speed dating event) to introduce my service-learning project to interested individuals. This year, however, I felt a profound sense of empowerment, leading to tangible actions. I had the privilege of being a panelist at the electrifying plenary session, which stood as one of my highlights of the 2024 conference. Joining this esteemed panel alongside luminaries such as Dr. Andrew Furco and Dr. Ross Velure Roholt was an immense honor. I shared my journey of founding Research to Empower, a student-led nonprofit aimed at empowering young students through research. Speaking on stage is never easy, and so when I took a deep breath and began sharing my story, the audience shouted “We love you, Grace!” I realized I’ve never felt such a profound sense of potential in my service-learning project to create meaningful change and empower others.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to host a workshop titled “Research to Empower the Next Generation of Young Researchers,” which advocated for equity and engagement in education, while infusing research with excitement through amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and vibrant activities. Witnessing a packed room, with some esteemed educators and nonprofit leaders even standing at the back, deeply touched me and sent the message that will forever be ingrained in my memory that the work I am doing is meaningful, and that so many people genuinely care about my passion. People shared feedback such as, “I loved this workshop! It taught me about navigating media and the importance of research. I came in with little knowledge but left well-informed and excited to conduct my research!” and, “Grace did an excellent job framing the value of research through interactive activities, fostering curiosity, and challenging our thoughts and practices. Thank you, Grace, for an inspiring presentation.”
Last year’s conference was already hard to top as one of the most rewarding experiences in my life, yet this year’s conference managed to do exactly that. Behind the scenes, the NYLC team’s tireless dedication to planning, coordination, and logistics, reminiscent of their successful execution of the past 34 national conferences, ensured the event’s seamless execution.
As I bid farewell to the conference, I depart with a deeper appreciation of the significance of service-learning, armed with invaluable tools, resources, ideas, and inspiration to enhance my service-learning project back in New York. These efforts will not only benefit my community but also contribute to individual growth, community well-being, and hopefully the broader tapestry of sustainable development.
“From Passion to Action”…the conference impeccably fulfills its mission! It serves as a platform for learning, inspiration, and connection. I eagerly anticipate the next conference, where we will continue to learn, inspire, and forge meaningful connections.
