NASBA Center For Public Trust 
Ethics Matters
Q2 2024
The 2024 StudentCPT Leadership Conference (SLC) was held in Louisville, KY, at the Omni Louisville Hotel, from June 3-5. This year’s conference theme was “Empowered to Lead,” focusing on the resources StudentCPT provides and how the journey to being an ethical leader empowers students at work, on campus and in their communities.
The SLC was held in conjunction with the NASBA Eastern Regional Meeting with a total of 28 schools represented and 45 students in attendance. Students ranged in age, areas of study and academic classification. It is important for students to participate in events like the SLC to hold open discussions on where ethical dilemmas are found, how to overcome them in life and in the work force and, most importantly, how to be empowered when navigating professionally on campus.
The NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT) was honored to feature CPT Board of Directors members David Costello, Donny Burkett (board chair) and Kymberly Messersmith as guest panelist speakers. CPT President Alfonzo Alexander moderated a variety of hard-hitting questions while also opening the floor for student questions for these varied professionals. New CPT Board Member, Jenn Bouchard, Chief People Officer for Figure8, focused on the traits and characteristics of the world’s favorite leaders and what that looks like in all aspects of life. Sharrona Reaves, CPT Director of Programs and Development, held a strategic networking session that allowed practice and and maximize their networking skills. This helped prepare students to network with NASBA members attending the Eastern Regional Meeting. Alexander focused on strengths-based leadership and what that looks like in today’s professional settings as an ethical leader. CPT Student Programs Manager Jasmine Jenkins led students in team-building exercises and detailed how using StudentCPT resources can empower students on campus.
It was an honor to have CPT board members Donny Burkett, David Costello, Delbert Madison, Kymberly Messersmith and James Alderson serve as judges for the students’ competitions and give words of encouragement throughout the conference. NASBA President and CEO Ken L. Bishop closed the conference breakfast with insight on his favorite reads and ethical dilemmas he faced early-on in his career.
The 2024 StudentCPT Leadership Conference was well-received by students as the CPT is collecting positive feedback on how to approach, navigate and display ethical leadership. The impact of empowering ethical leaders will last through every area of each student’s life.