First National Youth Leadership Certificate Program

This one-day certificate program for middle and high school students cultivates essential leadership skills, fosters civic responsibility and recognizes exemplary young leaders in their communities.

Event Overview

The second-annual National Youth Leadership Certificate Program, led by the University of Houston Asian American Studies Center and co-organized by the Youth Voice for Small Business, will explore the theme “Human Leadership in an Artificial Intelligence World.” Through guest speakers and interactive discussions, students will develop leadership skills, ethical awareness, and critical thinking for success in an AI-driven future. The program is open to students in grades 6 through 12.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: University of Houston, Science Building (Room 105), 3851 Cullen Blvd., Houston, TX 77204
Registration fee: $50 for youth (fee includes lunch, all the training sessions and the leadership certificate). Please note: We only accept credit cards for payment.
Registration will open in mid-July.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We appreciate your interest in supporting the certificate program to grow student leaders. Sponsorships are available at the following levels:

$5,000 – University Partner for Future Leaders
$4,000 – University Ambassador for Future Leaders
$3,000 – University Friend for Future Leaders
$2,000 – University Supporter for Future Leaders
$1,000 – University Advocate for Future Leaders

Be a Sponsor

Student Leadership Awards

Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by a teacher, employer, classmate or other individual who can speak to their leadership skills and impact. There are three award categories:

National Youth Leadership Award: Honors students who exemplify the highest ideals of youth leadership by demonstrating strong vision, empowering others and inspiring positive change.
Community Service Award: Honors students who reflect the core values of civic engagement by demonstrating leadership through service that makes a lasting, positive impact on their community.
Outstanding Teamwork Award: Honors students who reflect the core values of teamwork by fostering collaboration, strengthening teams and contributing to collective success.
Nominations are currently closed.

Award Nomination

Presenters

Xingchu Liu

Guest Speaker Xingchu Liu headshot

Liu is a globally recognized AI executive and business leader currently serving as chief AI officer and head of data, digital, and analytics at Genentech. He previously served as chief commercial AI officer at Pfizer. With extensive experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare and digital transformation, Liu has helped organizations translate cutting-edge AI technologies into measurable business and societal impact. He also serves on multiple advisory and governing boards, including Texas A&M University’s Industrial and Systems Engineering Advisory Council, Southern Methodist University and Datalogz. A passionate advocate for responsible AI and human-centered innovation, Liu frequently speaks on the future of AI leadership, digital transformation, and the evolving relationship between technology and humanity.

Salenah Cartier, Ph.D

Professional Panelist

Cartier is a researcher and instructional designer specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence, education and human-centered technology. With over five years of experience across higher education, industry and nonprofit sectors, her work focuses on how AI can be meaningfully and equitably integrated into learning environments. Cartier earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston College of Education in May 2026, becoming the youngest doctoral graduate at age 23.

Yunjie Chen

Professional Panelist

Chen is a principal customer solutions manager at Amazon Web Services. She integrates deep technical architecture with strategic leadership to unlock the transformative potential of generative AI within complex, mission-critical environments. With a track record of driving success for major public sector and enterprise customers, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and scalable production, ensuring that innovations in agentic workflows and multi-cloud strategy deliver tangible business value.

Sara Guo

College Student Panelist

Guo is currently pursuing a BFA in dance at The Juilliard School. Her choreography has received national recognition, including being named a 2024 YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Dance Choreography and a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semifinalist. As a dancer, choreographer and educator, Guo is passionate about using movement to explore identity, share meaningful narratives and inspire others, particularly young artists, to view dance as a powerful means of communication.

Jinghui Hou, Ph.D.

Professional Panelist

Hou is an assistant professor of information systems in the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. She holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Southern California, with a focus on information and communication technologies. Her primary research pertains to work and decision-making with artificial intelligence, consumer behavior in IT-mediated markets, and theory building concerning the uses and effects of emerging technologies. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and appears in top information systems journals.

Bo Hu, Ph.D.

Professional Panelist

Hu serves as director of data science and AI at ConocoPhillips, leading enterprise-scale transformation by applying advanced analytics to real-world energy operations and helping shape the future of AI in energy. Through advisory roles with organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston and Western Governors University, she contributes to talent development, practical technology adoption and the industry’s progress toward a more sustainable, data-driven future.

Chloe West

College Student Panelist

West is a Division I student-athlete at Cornell University, where she is enrolled in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations and pursuing a minor in business. A former top 100 player and team captain at St. John’s School, she runs her own field hockey coaching business. Beyond athletics, she has interned at Sysco Foods and this summer is interning at the private investment firm Valedor Partners. Through her experiences balancing elite athletics, academics, business internships and entrepreneurship, West brings a powerful perspective on discipline, leadership, teamwork and personal growth.

Benjamin Who

College Student Panelist

Who is a rising junior at Harvard College pursuing a pre-law track. Outside the classroom, he works as an editor of the Harvard Undergraduate Law Review, an associate on the Harvard Undergraduate Consulting Group and the founder of the Cambridge Center for Justice, a nonprofit that files federal amicus briefs to advance constitutional rights. A 2024 Coca-Cola Scholar and Bank of America Student Leader, Ben advocates for equality across various sectors, including education and immigration.

Allen Wu

College Student Panelist

Wu is a rising sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University majoring in mechanical engineering and robotics, with a focus on additive manufacturing. He is assistant shopmaster at Roboclub, one of CMU’s oldest makerspaces. As a hobbyist, he focuses on practical 3D prints, medieval polearm reproductions and firearms design.

Simon Zhong

Conference Co-Chair

Zhong is a rising senior at St. John’s School in Houston and serves as president of Youth Voice for Small Business. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, community service and leadership. He has interviewed business owners, organized youth initiatives, and founded a refugee after-school tutoring and swim safety program. Simon is also a varsity swimmer, writer and student leader who enjoys exploring how young people can create meaningful impact in their communities.

Organizing Committee

Chair: Yali Zou, Ph.D. (Director, UH Asian American Studies Center; Endowed Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies)
Co-chair: Simon Zhong (President, Youth Voice for Small Business)
Committee Members: Allen Chaffin, Elizabeth Gonzales, Katelyn Hu, Edward Kang, Sumith Murthy, Jessica Shi, Bryan Zhao, Andrew

Supporting Organizations

Contact Us

Have questions about the program or want to discuss sponsorship opportunities? Please email Elizabeth Gonzales of the Asian American Studies Center at egonza21@cougarnet.uh.edu.