Professor Zou Yali, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, delivered the opening speech
HOUSTON, TX， August 23, 2025
The First National Youth Leadership Certificate Program successfully concluded today at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel (Shamrock Room), bringing together 170 students and parents for a one-day event dedicated to cultivating essential leadership skills and fostering civic responsibility among middle and high school students.
Bryan Zhao, co-chair of the organizing committee, delivered an opening speech
Hosted by the University of Houston's Asian American Studies Center (AASC) & Global Leadership Studies in partnership with the youth nonprofit organization Youth Voice for Small Business (YVSB), the program empowered young participants to discover their potential and amplify their voices and make meaningful contributions to their communities. The comprehensive agenda, running from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, featured training sessions covering strategies for academic and leadership excellence, crucial college application tips, and practical guidance on establishing and operating youth nonprofit organizations.
The program commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Yali Zou, University Endowed Professor for Global Leadership Studies and Director of the Asian American Studies Center, and Bryan Zhao, a senior at Awty International School in Houston and the Founder and President of Youth Voice for Small Business & Circuit Skillbuilder. Throughout the day, attendees benefited from the insights of distinguished speakers:
• Dr. Cathy Horn, Dean of the College of Education, shared her vision on “Engaging in Leadership- For Your and for community.”
• Dr. Tiffany Davis, Clinical Full Professor & Associate Dean for Student Belonging and Success, presented on “From Potential to Impact: Strategies for Academic and Leadership Excellence”.
• Bryan Zhao also presented on “How to Establish and Operate Youth Nonprofit Organizations”.
UH College of Education Dean Cathy Horn delivered a speech
Vice Dean Dr. Tiffany Davis gave a speech
Bryan Zhao shares practical experience in establishing and operating youth non-profit organizations
A highlight of the program was the luncheon keynote address by Hong Ogle, President of Bank of America Houston, who delivered an inspiring speech titled “Leading with Purpose: Empowering Future Leaders”.
Hong Ogle delivered a keynote speech at the luncheon
Following the keynote, a Youth Leader Panel on Leadership and College Applications provided valuable perspectives from current university students, including Benjamin Who (Harvard College), Tiffany Zhang (Stanford University), and Sanskriti Manoharan (Brown University), moderated by Bryan Zhao.
Youth Leadership Panel Discussion
The day culminated in an Introduction of Youth Nonprofit Organizations, a Student Leadership Awards Ceremony honoring outstanding students for their exemplary leadership, and a Program Certificate Presentation Ceremony.
Awards were presented to 10 students across four categories:
- Global Leadership: Allen Chaffin, Katelyn Hu, and Yu Wang
- Academic Excellence: Jayden Chen and Luke Zhang,
- Community Service: Andrew Chaffin, Aien Du, and Chengyu Alyssa Kuang
- Teamwork: Nathan Fei and Derek Zhu
A total of 112 students received the Youth Leadership Certificate after completing the program.
Photo of the certificate issuing group
Dr. Yali Zou, Chair of the Program Organizing Committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome 170 students and parents to this special program, where future leaders can discover their potential and strengthen their voices. With guidance from distinguished scholars, executives, and student leaders from top universities, today is about inspiration and community”.
Bryan Zhao, Co-Chair of the Program Organizing Committee, reflected on the program’s impact: “The conference empowered middle and high school students to explore what leadership truly means and how they can make a difference in their communities. Participants learned that leadership can be developed, fear shouldn’t hold them back, and even small steps can lead to meaningful impact. The event inspired students to take on bigger roles and embrace their potential to lead”.
Conference site
The success of the program was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Advanzy Investment as University Partners, the Aspiration Foundation as University Ambassadors, ABK Investment Group as University Friends, and Merrill Kang Group together with Bank of America Houston as University Supporters. Additional support for the promotion of the program came from the Asian Chamber of Commerce, SpiderSmart at Sugar Land, Circuit Skillbuilder, AYLUS Pearland Branch, PROMIS, and To the Top Education.
About the University of Houston Asian American Studies Center and its Global Leadership Studies Program
The University of Houston’s Asian American Studies Center (AASC), established in 1995, serves as an interdisciplinary academic hub dedicated to the study of Asian and Asian American experiences. The center offers an undergraduate minor, research opportunities, and professional training programs, aiming to foster understanding and collaboration between the university and diverse Asian communities. Through its initiatives, the AASC promotes academic excellence, cultural awareness, and community engagement.
Since 1996, the Asian American Studies Center has provided a global leadership studies program for local, national, and international public officials, educational leaders, and business executives.
About Youth Voice for Small Business (YVSB)
Youth Voice for Small Business (YVSB) is a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying student voices in support of small businesses. Through civic education, advocacy, and policy initiatives, YVSB engages middle school, high school, and college students, empowering the next generation of leaders to influence economic policy, champion local businesses, and drive meaningful community and economic impact nationwide.
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