Regent SIFE Hosts Leadership Training Conference for Virginia SIFE Teams

September 16, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Walgreen’s teamed up for a Regional Leadership Training Conference held at Regent University on September 13. More than 80 students from six SIFE teams across Virginia came to learn about leadership skills in one of 21 nationwide conferences scheduled for this fall.

“This is the second consecutive year for Regent SIFE to host this major training event for the state of Virginia,” explained Dr. Greg Stone, advisor to the Regent SIFE team. “Hosting the conference is a great way to provide exposure to Regent University and Regent SIFE, and to educate more people in the Hampton Roads area about SIFE and its programs.”

SIFE teams from Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Christopher Newport University, Blue Ridge Community College and Tidewater Community College joined the Regent University SIFE team as they participated in this day-long training event to introduce SIFE to new members and to teach participants about leadership and the mission and goals of the organization. Topics included explanations of the new project judging criteria, career networking and professional development, and student leadership.

"The Regent SIFE team was selected to host the conference because of their organization's success with sustainability," said Brittany Atwood, campus program manager for SIFE USA. "Regent SIFE has successfully advanced to the national competition from the regional competitions for six consecutive years. Their reputation as innovators led to their receiving the SIFE Spirit Award last May in Chicago."  

SIFE is a worldwide organization that is designed to help students learn about business ethics and free enterprise, and gain business skills that can be used for a lifetime. “More importantly, they go into the community to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and teach others to impact and change lives for the better," Atwood added.

Regent students may join SIFE at anytime during their university career and at any time of the year. Only active members, however, participate in the competitions. The 2008 Regional SIFE and national competitions will be held during the spring semester in Philadelphia, Pa.

According to Stone, involvement in SIFE can strengthen your resume as well as provide you with valuable business skills. “When employers see SIFE on someone's resume, it represents leadership and project management experience, and will often move the applicant to the top of the interview list. Recruiters know that if you were in SIFE, then you had to work."

Regent Students interested in learning more about SIFE or applying for membership can e-mail the organization at sife@regent.edu.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University has more than 4,000 students studying on its campus in Virginia Beach, Va., and online around the world. Regent offers associate's, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective in fields including business, communication and the arts, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, and psychology and counseling.