Karly Van Holten and Brooklyn Cruz (both Service Learning & Leadership) presented "Empowering Minds: Strategies for Transformative Learning Environment" at the 2024 UNLV Administrative Faculty Development Day.

The aim of this workshop was to help educators and youth-facing professionals draw on their own experiences, motives, and communication skills toward building authentic, culturally relevant relationships with students. Van Holten and Cruz believe that age is no barrier to relatability, and when one assesses the strategies they employ to connect to students, they will find that they too can be a bridge for them to lead. Working in student success and restorative justice programs for multiple years, Van Holten and Cruz have been commended on their abilities to foster relationships with both students and professionals. To them, it comes naturally, and is a product of their age, education, and experiences.