Shiza Shahid, Malala Fund Co-Founder & Global Ambassador, to Speak at 10th Annual DSLC

Shiza Shahid, a social entrepreneur and co-founder and global ambassador of the Malala Fund
Shiza Shahid, a social entrepreneur and co-founder and
global ambassador of the Malala Fund.
Media Contact: 
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary’s College
(574) 284-4579

March 12, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.)–The 10th Annual Diverse Students’ Leadership Conference (DSLC), hosted by the Saint Mary’s College Student Diversity Board (SDB), will be held on Monday, March 23 on campus. This year’s theme is, “Diversity through the Decades.” The conference provides a way to promote issues concerning diversity and aims to inspire participants to become catalysts for change in their communities. The public is invited to attend.

Workshop sessions take place between 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Student Center. There will be an optional continental breakfast at 9 a.m., and lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. “I am most excited for the workshops we have planned this year because they’ll open up avenues for necessary dialogue. Each will be interactive and informative,” said Taylor Etzell ’15, SDB treasurer. The daylong event is free and open to the public but requires pre-registration. Click to register go to or contact the Office of Multicultural Services at (574) 284-4723 for more information.

This year’s keynote speaker is Shiza Shahid, a social entrepreneur and co-founder and global ambassador of the Malala Fund. The organization represents young Nobel Peace Prize recipient Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for her campaign for girls’ education. Shahid’s talk will take place at 7 p.m. in Carroll Auditorium Madeleva Hall. You do not need to register to attend the talk.

“DSLC it is an opportunity for students to come together to learn and discuss diversity in various aspects as related to specific topics. What better than a women’s undergraduate college to host Shiza Shahid who will talk about the importance of girls’ education in the world. We are thrilled to have her speak to our students and guests,” said Gloria Jenkins, director of Multicultural Services at Saint Mary’s College.

Shahid was recently named one of TIME magazine’s “30 Under 30 World Changers” and to Forbes “30 Under 30″ list of social entrepreneurs. A graduate of Stanford University, she was a business analyst at McKinsey & Company in the Middle East before leading the Malala Fund in its work to empower girls through education. Around the world, over 600 million adolescent girls are denied a formal education because of social, economic, legal and political factors. Education empowers girls to raise their voices, to unlock their potential, and to demand change. The Malala Fund’s goal is to create a world where every girl reaches her true potential.

“At DSLC we want to have conversations about issues here and around the world that aren’t talked about enough. DSLC is a time to learn about others and to learn with others,” said Angela Bukur ’16, a co-chair of the event.  

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. By the fall of 2015, pending accreditations anticipated in the spring, Saint Mary’s College will offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College’s mission is to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report.

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