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The College of Business recently hosted its Leadership Development Conference  (LDC), a two-day on-campus event designed to bridge the gap between online classroom learning and real-world application for graduate business students.

Held on August 16-17, the conference welcomed students from various online graduate programs, offering them a chance to engage with their peers, network with faculty and explore critical business topics. This year's event featured a record-breaking number of alumni speakers and attracted 130 students from 22 states.

The LDC is a unique offering for many of OHIO鈥檚 online graduate business programs, including the online MBA, master of business analytics, and master of accountancy and analytics,  among others. Attendance is required at least once for students in these programs, though many return for a second conference. The conference, offered twice a year in April and August, is designed to foster connections and provide hands-on learning experiences students can apply in their professional lives.

"The College of Business hosts the Leadership Develop Conference to give our students a chance to be inspired by the beautiful Athens campus, connect with and be plugged into the Bobcat professional network, and focus on trending leadership skills with our top faculty, proud alumni and external experts," said Jill Nice, assistant dean of graduate and professional programs in the College of Business.

During the two-day event, participants heard from accomplished speakers, including faculty members they had previously only interacted with online. The conference kicked off with a networking lunch, where students met Associate Professor of Marketing and LDC Chief Experience Officer Andrew Pueschel and College of Business Dean Jackie Rees Ulmer .

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The conference鈥檚 sessions covered a range of timely topics. Brandon Wright, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Sports Administration, led a session on embracing risks with policies and procedures that enhance constituent relationships. Wright鈥檚 presentation was followed by a discussion on leveraging collaboration to make an impact led by JoVonne Walker, owner of .

Students also attended sessions that explored the nuances of leadership in today鈥檚 business environment. Cathy McPhillips, chief growth officer at the , spoke on community-led business growth, emphasizing that "it's all about the human connection" when it comes to creating strong and loyal customer relationships.

Adam Rapp, executive director of the Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre, delved into the intricacies of building relationships across generations and work styles. His presentation highlighted the importance of understanding and embracing generational differences to create more cohesive and productive teams.

Rapp鈥檚 insights resonated with students, who recognized the growing importance of adaptability and empathy in today鈥檚 diverse work environments. By learning to navigate these differences, future leaders can foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Beyond the academic sessions, the LDC emphasized the importance of networking and hands-on learning. The event was punctuated with networking receptions and well-being breaks sponsored by GradCAT , giving students ample opportunities to connect and recharge. On the second day, students participated in a lunch with Elizabeth Guarino, team leader of the OHIO Online Career Acceleration Team, who led a discussion about the importance of wellness and relationship-building in leadership roles.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring experts including Edward Oates, co-founder of , and Michelle Fox, co-founder of Rock Your Business. The final remarks and recognition of graduates were delivered by Gabe Giordano, associate dean of graduate and professional programs in the College of Business, and veteran- and military-affiliated students were recognized with a special coin presented by Terry St. Peter from the Veterans and Military Student Services Center.

The Leadership Development Conference remains a cornerstone of OHIO鈥檚 graduate business programs, offering students not only valuable knowledge but also the chance to form lasting connections that will benefit them throughout their professional journeys.