A former student’s journey from a determined learner to a successful business owner took center stage on April 3, at the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) annual Student Leadership Conference—a day filled with inspiration, hands-on learning, and student-led success.

Developed by the CCIU Training and Consultation Team, the workshop equipped students with real-world leadership and career skills through mock interviews, industry-specific breakout sessions, and professional presentations. The day's most powerful lesson came from keynote speaker Chris Kunc, a CCIU alumnus who has completed the journey from student to master of his craft.

Kunc, who is on the autism spectrum, once walked the halls of the Technical College High School (TCHS) Pickering Campus, which is operated by the CCIU. Today, he holds an associate's degree from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, is a master electrician— the highest level of certification in his field—and runs his own thriving business, CZK Electric LLC. His return to CCIU marked a full-circle moment in his professional journey.

“I am here today to talk to you about my journey because I've been in many of your shoes before, asking the same questions many of you ask yourself today,” Kunc shared. “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.”

The workshop itself exemplified leadership in action, as it was entirely student-driven. Students Ryan Seawright, Josh Hawn, Gavin Moyer, Bryce Brunson, and J.R. Wyatt from the CCIU Learning Center and community-based instruction program, guided by staff members and administrators, managed everything from planning and logistics to delivering the opening remarks. Additionally, Learning Center alumni Connor Kemp, who later attended The Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, provided testimony during the presentation.

J.R. Wyatt reflected on the experience, saying, “I learned how much work goes into planning an event of this scale. 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 contributed significantly to the event's success. Wegmans, Chick-fil- A Lionville, and Handel's Homemade Ice Cream provided food, while representatives from Hiram G. Andrews and Wawa facilitated specialized breakout sessions. Additional support came from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and Chick-fil-A representatives, who conducted mock interviews to give students valuable real- world practice in professional interactions.

The CCIU remains steadfast in its mission to empower students through immersive learning experiences and meaningful leadership opportunities. By placing students at the center of their educational journey—whether through specialized career training, hands-on leadership roles, or direct industry connections—the CCIU creates transformative experiences that equip learners with both knowledge and confidence. This workshop exemplified the organization's philosophy in action, serving as both a showcase of student leadership capabilities and a powerful reminder of the unlimited potential within every student who passes through CCIU's doors.