On Friday, January 31, the TRIO Support Services team hosted the Maverick Mind Conference through the First-Gen+ Support Center. This conference was the first of its kind at CMU, offering students a unique chance to explore their thought processes and discover how others think. It was designed for first-generation students, TRIO participants and various student groups across campus.
The conference featured interactive breakout sessions led by professionals from across Colorado. Sessions covered essential skills like communication and conflict resolution, effective resume writing, stress and time management, and financial literacy. Each session provided students with practical tools to enhance their academic, professional and personal success.
The event also provided students with a free opportunity to gain real-world experience navigating a professional conference. Many students miss out on similar opportunities due to finances and travel barriers. The Maverick Mind Conference aimed to remove those barriers by providing students with an accessible and engaging way to build confidence in a professional environment — right on campus.
“The First Gen+ Support Center hopes this experience opened up opportunities for students to be curious about themselves and those around them and prepared them for future opportunities in conferencing in professional settings,” said TRIO Program Advisor Emma Early.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation on neurodiversity by Sara Colorosa, PhD, which explored how neurodiverse individuals process information differently. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how people think, learn and interact with the world, including those with autism, ADHD and other cognitive differences. Colorosa’s presentation also equipped students with executive functioning skills and practical tools to apply their knowledge to academic and career paths. She also supplied insights into different communication and learning styles, teaching students how to collaborate effectively with peers who have social and communication differences.
In addition to the workshops and the keynote address, attendees participated in a complex etiquette luncheon, where they learned the finer points of professional dining and had opportunities to network.
By the end of the conference, students walked away with new skills, broader perspectives and a wider network.
“I’m confident the students who experienced the conference left with more insight about the world and people around them, feeling more connected to one another and CMU,” said Early.
The Maverick Mind Conference provided students with a meaningful and empowering experience with engaging sessions, expert speakers and a focus on professional development. By making these resources accessible, CMU’s First-Gen+ Support Center continues to support students by helping them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
