Northwestern to host conference for multicultural students

Northwestern College, in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host the annual Northwest Iowa Cultural GRiT Conference on Friday, March 29.

Designed for multicultural students in grades 9–12, the conference encourages attendees to “Get Real Together” through leadership activities, college exploration and cultural awareness. B2wins, musicians from Brazil who use music as a platform to spread positivity, will be the keynote for the event.

Conference attendees will participate in experiential learning workshops for academic enrichment facilitated by Northwestern College faculty and students in 10 tracks: athletic performance, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, education, entrepreneurship, nursing, theatre, and translation and interpretation. They will also participate in leadership exercises, take a campus tour, and eat lunch with Northwestern student leaders. Northwestern’s Bridge Scholars, along with 4-H Club leaders from participating high schools, will serve as group leaders throughout the day.

“The GRiT Conference calls multicultural students from northwest Iowa together to advance their gifts in academics and leadership,” says Rahn Franklin, director of multicultural student development at Northwestern. “This year’s event will emphasize the growth of an entrepreneurial spirit by inspiring youth to embrace critical thinking, innovation, service and continuous improvement. The academic and leadership gifts gained through the GRiT Conference will enhance students’ capacity to help make the world a better place.”