LAUNCH: An Initiative to Lead is a one-day conference held at East Tennessee State University for aspiring and current high school student leaders.
Who will be at LAUNCH?
LAUNCH is designed for aspiring and current High School student leaders. High school students, student organization advisors, teachers, and school counselors will be present. LAUNCH will feature keynote speakers, current college student facilitators, faculty/staff facilitators and college student volunteers.
When is LAUNCH?
LAUNCH 2017 will be held on December 8th
Check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the program will close out at 2:00 p.m.
What will students/advisors be doing at LAUNCH?
Students - you will experience motivational speakers, keynote addresses, large group activities, and interactive workshops on topics ranging from general responsibilities of officers to leading with integrity.
Teachers/Advisors/Counselors - you will have the option of sitting in on small group breakout sessions with your students!
The conference schedule is posted below.
How much does LAUNCH cost?
The cost is $20 per participant. This registration fee includes lunch, a t-shirt, and conference materials. The registration cost will increase to $30 per participant if registration and payment are not received by date November 17th.
How do I register?
Registration has closed for 2017.
LAUNCH will cover topics such as:
- Student Organization officer preparation
- Working with people who are different than you
- Resolving Conflict
- Self-Awareness/Self-Management for individual leaders
- Time/Stress Management
- "College Talk"
Conference Schedule
Registration and Check-In | 8:00-9:00 am |
Opening Asembly and Keynote Address | 9:00-10:00 am |
AM Breakout Session | 10:05-10:50 am |
ETSU Campus Tour | 10:55-11:35 am |
College Talks Lunch | 11:40-12:10 pm |
PM Breakout Session | 12:15-1:00 pm |
Closing Assembly | 1:05-1:45 pm |
Evaluation Exit Ticket | 1:45-2:00 pm |
News & Events
LAUNCH: An Initiative to Lead will be held on December 8th.
The Keynote Speaker for LAUNCH 2017 will be Dr. Jennifer Adler!

About Dr. Jennifer Adler
Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler is the Assistant Director for the Roan Scholars Leadership
Program at East Tennessee State University, where she also teaches courses on religion
and history as an Adjunct Faculty member. A first generation college student originally
from Bloomington, Indiana, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard College with
her A.B. in Government. She went on to earn her M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt
University, with a focus on American religious history.
In her current role as Assistant Director of the Roan Program, Dr. Adler oversees
programming, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities for current Roan
Scholars. Her training in religion and history informs her approach to leadership,
including the importance of purpose, passion, integrity, ethics, and wellbeing. She
speaks regularly on American religious history, religious diversity, leadership, and
student success.
Dr. Adler lives in Kingsport with her husband, Warren, and their son, Pierce. She
is currently the youngest member of that city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen, elected
to a four-year term in May 2017.