At the beginning of June, hundreds of college women and student leaders congregate on the campus of University of Maryland, College Park. They are campus leaders, advocates and activists, and inspiring feminist leaders. Why? It's the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (or NCCWSL, for short) sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). At NCCWSL 2016, I was honored to represent the University of Nebraska Omaha and, without a doubt, it was one of the most empowering experiences I've had as a collegian. Needless to say, I'm beyond excited to be returning to NCCWSL 2017 this summer but this time as a member of AAUW's National Student Advisory Council. I'm already counting down the days until June, but in my defense, NCCWSL will be here before we know it especially if how quickly the fall semester flew by is any indication.

Since registration is currently open for NCCWSL 2017, I thought I'd take a moment to share why NCCWSL is the event for young women looking to leave positive impact on their campus communities and who are willing to fight for the future of equality.

1. Location, location, location

NCCWSL is hosted at University of Maryland, College Park. As if the beautiful, sprawling campus wasn't enough, NCCWSL is only a hop, skip, and a jump (or more realistically, a quick bus trip or metro ride) to our nation's capital, Washington D.C. For students like me who are stranded in the Midwest or who are from further out west, this in itself is a really neat opportunity to explore and learn. My friend and I took advantage of the campus' close proximity to Washington D.C. and flew in a little early to enjoy an afternoon of what we deemed the "ultimate tourist" experience complete with a segway tour of top sites. There is so much going on in the capital and it's guaranteed to be an absolute dream come true for history buffs, activists, or aspiring political leaders. Take a little time for yourself and explore!

If you don't have the luxury of extra time, there's no worry. There are still opportunities for D.C.-based activities sponsored through NCCWSL conference for an extra fee. As AAUW's NCCWSL site explains "Whether you want a head start on making friends and connections, a taste of our nation’s capital, or an insider’s view on potential careers, off-site activities are the best way to take your NCCWSL experience to the next level." I couldn't agree more. Through NCCWSL's off-site activity options, I spent a morning on Capitol Hill lobbying with AAUW volunteers. I connected with other like-minded students on that very first day as we explored and learned from the AAUW women who volunteer every week to advocate for those issues important to women. During my NCCWSL experience, we were lobbying on behalf of AAUW for the In The Red Act introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that addressed America's student debt crisis with the lens of how gender pay gap can impact the process of repaying debts. Armed with AAUW research and a boost of confidence from my AAUW volunteer leader, our group trekked the halls of the three House office buildings along Independence Avenue and we only lost our way once.

2. Connect!

It is almost overwhelming to think about the sheer number of people attending NCCWSL. In 2016, they welcomed over 900 student leaders so you'll find yourself making connections at nearly every opportunity. Whether it's during mealtimes, between workshops, or at general assemblies with featured keynote speakers, there are new faces at every turn and each with exciting exciting experiences to share. I was inspired and awed to no end. NCCWSL is the ultimate opportunity to share your experiences and to experience something new through the eyes of others. You're guaranteed to be challenged. Inspired. Empowered. Engaged. Gather 900 of our nation's strong, passionate voices in one room and the air feels electric and charged with potential. If you're looking for that spark to relight a fire to get you motivated for a new semester, I can attest that there is no better place to be. Every single participant is able to bring their own voice, experience, and opinion with them to NCCWSL and the diversity of those conversations can spur incredible and sometimes difficult dialogues.

Not only do you get to connect with other students, the Career and Graduate School fair gives you a chance to explore future options for yourself and meet the people who can get you where you want to be. You also get to hear nuggets of wisdom and empowering stories from NCCWSL's featured speakers (yet to be announced) and the Women of Distinction. Nothing was able to prepare me for the powerful narratives, speeches, stories and performances that these incredible women share. AAUW's Women of Distinction are also kind enough to stick around after the ceremony so that you can personally connect with them during the reception that follows. So far, two Women of Distinction for NCCWSL 2017 have been announced and I won't spoil the surprise for you. However, I will hint that one woman is world-ranked poet and poetry slam champion. The other woman fights for federal rights for sexual assault survivors (links below). More announcements are to come, and with how moved I was last year by the Women of Distinction, I have to admit that I am probably looking forward to this year's ceremony most out of all things NCCWSL.

3. Bring It Back Home

The activities, insight, research and information, words of advice and more are all available for you to bring back to your own campus. NCCWSL is like a toolbox for you to pick and choose from. Perfectly prepared resources will be right at your fingertips and you'll have a restored fighting spirit to take on whatever you set your mind to upon your return. NCCWSL is a national movement and it begins with each individual who dedicates themselves to attending and who wholly commits to the experience. Through the other collegiate leaders that you'll connect with, you'll have new ideas for your student organization or for an awareness campaign on campus. You'll have resources and connections at your fingertips to make those far-fetched dreams a reality. You'll have a nation-wide support system and a national organization like AAUW cheering you on every step of the way.

My friend and I attended NCCWSL both as representatives from our university's student-led Women's Resource Center agency. At the end of each day, we would both be feeling a dizzying mixture of exhaustion and excitement. We were exposed to so many great and new ideas that we were overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. But the prospect of the real change that we could bring back to campus was exhilarating. I truly felt like I left NCCWSL with a better notion of how I could personally lead or empower others and how I could more effectively fight for the things that I stood and wanted to stand for. It may feel like a tiring week, but soak it all up. You'll be glad you did once you return refreshed and ready to change to the world!

4. NCCWSL Opens Doors to AAUW

Your journey with AAUW doesn't end with NCCWSL. I hope that it doesn't. For me, NCCWSL was just the beginning. I attended NCCWSL 2016 knowing very little about the host organization, AAUW, but I left feeling inexplicably drawn to it and the mission that AAUW embodies: Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

Throughout the week, NCCWSL participants had been introduced to our peers who were taking charge in their own ways and voicing student concerns and opinions to AAUW -- the 2015-2016 AAUW National Student Advisory Council. Although, I'll admit, I was much too intimidated to talk to Student Advisory Council members at NCCWSL, I knew that I had to at least try and apply for the 2016-2017 school year when the chance rolled around. I applied and was accepted with a little luck and a lot of hard work and ambitious missions that I accumulated throughout my past few years as an undergraduate. So one weekend in October, I found myself on an early morning flight again to Washington, D.C. anxious yet excited for three days at AAUW's headquarters with 9 other women that I'd call fellow council members.

The women who serve on council with me are truly some of the most incredible and inspiring women I've met. There's still moments on our monthly conference calls that I am slightly intimidated by their strong sense of self, their stories of fighting for equality, their accomplishments, and their visions for how their campus communities and the world beyond could and should look. However, this only makes me that much more determined to do my best. This absolute honor to serve as a representative isn't something that I can rest my credentials on but it is an experience that I know I'll continue to take pride in and share with anyone who's willing to listen.

Truthfully, words can't do enough justice for the NCCWSL experience or for all that AAUW stands for and has taught me in just the past 7 months alone. But maybe these words can make another young woman feel a little more confident about checking out the NCCWSL site or look into important AAUW issues on their own. Maybe the next Student Advisory Council member just needs that extra little push or vote of confidence like I did. The greatest thing you can invest in is yourself and scrolling through the NCCWSL scholarship application or AAUW's website (aauw.org) is the perfect place to start.

NCCWSL Women of Distinction:

Crystal Valentine

Amanda Nguyen