UNCF Student Leadership Conference 2026

Students from across the country will be gathering in the nation’s capital to develop skills for leadership beyond internships and early career opportunities. More than 220 undergraduate students from across the U.S. will convene in Washington, D.C., for the 17th annual UNCF Student Leadership Conference (SLC). The theme this year is Leadership Beyond The Title: Voice, Influence, Impact. This multi-day event will feature presentations and keynote addresses from corporate leaders on professional development topics, aimed at equipping students with skills needed to be successful as interns and early career professionals. UNCF’s Student Leadership Conference will provide opportunities for rising juniors and seniors attending colleges and universities from across the country including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in an intense training simulation with coaching from high-level business and nonprofit professionals. Students will leave armed with the skills and support they will need to remain competitive in our ever evolving workforce, as they begin to embark upon internships, fellowships and new full-time positions at the conclusion of the conference. UNCF is expanding its experiential learning curriculum to empower students by bridging the gap between theory and practice, applying academic knowledge in real-world settings through a business stimulator and speed networking with young professionals.