We the People, We the Future conference awarded a $7,500 Campus250 grant to support programming exploring the region’s vital role in the nation’s founding and future during America’s semiquincentennial year.

More than 300 students gathered at Temple’s Howard Gittis Student Center for the 17th annual Inclusive Leadership Conference (ILC), We the People, We the Future, on Saturday, Feb. 7. Organized by Temple’s Office of Student Leadership and Engagement in partnership with IDEAL, Campus Philly and Drexel University, ILC is the largest collegiate conference in the Greater Philadelphia area centered on inclusion, leadership and diversity. This was Drexel’s first year as a conference partner.  

The ILC was awarded $7,500 to support conference programming by Campus Philly, in partnership with the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development to support innovative, community-engaged projects that commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. We the People, We the Future was one of 13 projects recognized for connecting students, faculty and community partners in exploring the region’s vital role in the nation’s founding and future. 

“We were honored to receive one of the Campus250 grants,” said Jodi Bailey Accavallo, vice president for student affairs. “Our partnership with Campus Philly—where President John Fry serves as honorary board chair—reflects Temple’s commitment to civic engagement. This award strengthened a program aligned with America’s 250th semiquincentennial, bringing together students and professionals to explore leadership, inclusion and civic engagement during this historic year.” 

Designed to engage student leaders from across the region, the event drew participants from more than 20 institutions including Arcadia University, Chestnut Hill College, the College of New Jersey, the Community College of Philadelphia, Penn State Abington, Saint Joseph’s University, Stockton University, Swarthmore College and West Chester University.  

Following an opening keynote address and Q&A with Isaiah Thomas, councilmember and majority whip for the City of Philadelphia, undergraduate and graduate students, along with professional staff, broke out to attend more than 20 sessions focused on leadership, diversity and inclusion. 

Campus Philly also hosted a grant-writing workshop for student leaders interested in applying for the next round of Campus250 grants. 

The daylong conference featured an afternoon panel discussion with members of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Council, highlighting how young professionals are reimagining inclusive leadership across the city. 

Through a variety of breakout sessions, keynotes and interactive community events, the conference programming was designed to support four areas: bold leadership, self-discovery, civility and social change. 

“Our main goal for the day was for students to feel empowered to do impactful work and make meaningful changes in their communities,” said Craig Scott, associate director of student leadership and engagement. “We hope they take what they learned here and apply it to their own work.” 

Scott also emphasized the important community partnerships that are forged as part of the conference.  

“We held a lunch session with significant corporate and community engagement with a mini tabling resource fair with corporate partners,” he said. “Believe in Students, a nonprofit that addresses food insecurity for college students, generously donated 350 student meals for the conference attendees this year.” 

Barbara Perlman, senior director of student leadership and engagement, added that building relationships is one of the key takeaways from the event. 

“The ILC is a long-standing Temple tradition,” said Perlman. “In addition to the engaging sessions, students network with peers from other schools, idea share and discover new ideas, too, which is at the heart of what we do to support student growth and development.”