DOWNINGTOWN, PA — The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) hosted its annual Student Leadership Conference on April 3, 2025, offering students an immersive day of skill development, career preparation, and personal inspiration. The event, organized by the CCIU Training and Consultation Team, combined hands-on workshops and motivational presentations to empower student leaders.
A highlight of the day was keynote speaker Chris Kunc, a former CCIU student and now a successful master electrician and business owner of CZK Electric LLC. Kunc, who attended the Technical College High School (TCHS) Pickering Campus and graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, shared his personal story of perseverance and professional success. “I want to talk to you all about my background, my journey, and finding my direction, and I hope that my journey may help guide you to clearer thoughts and a better handling on what you are looking for in your future,” he said.
The conference was student-led, with participants taking charge of planning, logistics, and presentations. Students from the CCIU Learning Center, including Ryan Seawright, Josh Hawn, Gavin Moyer, Bryce Brunson, and J.R. Wyatt, coordinated the event alongside staff and administrators. Alumni Connor Kemp, now a graduate of The Commonwealth Technical Institute, shared his own success story with attendees.
Reflecting on the experience, student J.R. Wyatt noted, “We learned how to break down steps of the planning process and gave each person something to do. At the conference, I gained confidence through my mock interview, and I think people with less experience would benefit a lot from mock interviews.”
Community partners played a vital role in supporting the event. Employers including Wawa, Wegmans, and Chick-fil-A contributed to breakout sessions and mock interviews, while Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream provided refreshments. Additional guidance came from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN).
The conference not only cultivated leadership and professional skills among students but also paid tribute to the CCIU’s mission of fostering lifelong learning and meaningful community collaboration.
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