COLLEGE 

Today's students are navigating rapid change, yet many struggle with key soft skills like communication, resilience, and self-awareness—abilities that directly impact their leadership potential and career readiness.

Through dynamic keynotes and interactive workshops, we equip students with practical tools to:

  • Communicate with confidence (public speaking, storytelling, active listening)

  • Navigate challenges with resilience (stress management, overcoming setbacks)

  • Lead with self-awareness (emotional intelligence, personal branding)

  • Work effectively with others (collaboration, cultural competency, conflict resolution)

Participation in our workshops and keynotes provides students with access to the following benefits:

  • Dynamic presentations, live performances, and interactive training from a dedicated coach with a proven track record and years of professional experience.

  • Ongoing support through online resources which includes access to personal coaching, exclusive student online communities, downloadable resources, and more.

  • Discounts on exclusive merch with customized school promo codes.

  • Upon approval, students may also receive elective credits from their college or university.

KEYNOTES

& SPOKEN WORD

These talks are designed for large student audiences. Keynotes include live spoken word poetry performances.

TALK DESCRIPTIONS

  • Overview:
    This keynote is designed to inspire students to understand the transformative power of their own stories. We illustrate how owning and sharing personal experiences can lead to healing, growth, and impactful leadership. The session will be interactive, encouraging students to reflect on their own narratives and discover the strength within.

    Key Takeaways:

    • How your story shapes your identity and your leadership potential.

    • The role of vulnerability in building connections and creating positive change.

    • Using spoken word as a tool for personal expression and community-building.

    • Practical steps for owning and sharing your story in ways that empower others.

    Target Audience Needs:

    • Identity and Self-Discovery: Many students struggle with defining who they are, especially during their college years. This session will guide them toward clarity and confidence in their identity.

    • Mental Health and Well-being: Addressing mental health issues through storytelling can help students feel heard and validated. Spoken word provides a unique outlet for expressing emotions.

    • Leadership Development: Students will learn how their personal experiences can inform and strengthen their leadership capabilities on campus and beyond.

    Why It Resonates:
    Research shows that storytelling is an effective tool for promoting self-awareness and connection, especially for young adults. According to Psychology Today, narrative identity (the way people make sense of their experiences) is key to mental health and resilience, which is crucial for students facing academic and social pressures.

  • Overview:
    In this keynote, students will be challenged to take control of their life stories and rewrite the narratives that have been shaped by past experiences, societal expectations, or limiting beliefs. We’re works in progress—blank pages waiting to be filled with new choices, opportunities, and bold decisions. This talk will explore the concept of reclaiming their story, breaking free from the limitations that hold them back, and confidently creating the future they desire.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Understanding the power of personal narrative and how it influences identity and self-worth.

    • Practical steps to rewrite negative or limiting beliefs and embrace a new, empowered vision for the future.

    • The connection between faith, freedom, and the power to create your own destiny.

    • Spoken word as a tool for creative expression and reimagining the future.

    Target Audience Needs:

    • Self-Discovery: Many students are navigating identity issues and societal pressures, trying to figure out who they are and where they fit. This keynote empowers them to take charge of their narrative and reframe their self-perception.

    • Personal Empowerment: Students often feel boxed in by past experiences or external expectations. This keynote helps them break free from those limitations and step into their full potential.

    • Creativity and Expression: Spoken word offers a powerful medium for creative expression, allowing students to channel their experiences and aspirations into art that connects with others.

    Why It Resonates:
    The concept of narrative identity is central to psychology and personal development. Research shows that when people take control of their life stories, they experience a sense of empowerment, leading to greater resilience and well-being. For college students, this keynote gives them the tools to rewrite the stories they tell themselves and embrace a bold, purposeful future.

  • Overview:
    This keynote focuses on living intentionally as a student, rooted in faith, values, and purpose. We explore how students can align their personal beliefs with their actions, offering practical ways to bring faith into everyday life on campus. We weave these concepts together, providing a creative framework for students to express their own journeys of purpose.

    Key Takeaways:

    • How to live out your faith and values authentically on a college campus.

    • The relationship between purpose and faith in shaping life decisions, from academics to social interactions.

    • Using spoken word to express faith in ways that resonate with peers and promote community.

    • Practical tips for integrating faith into leadership, study, and personal life.

    Target Audience Needs:

    • Faith Integration: Many students are figuring out how to balance their academic, social, and spiritual lives. This keynote will provide them with a roadmap to integrate their faith into their daily experiences.

    • Purpose and Career Development: Students are often seeking direction for their future careers and lives. This keynote will give them the tools to live with purpose, grounded in their beliefs.

    • Community Engagement: Fostering a sense of community through faith and spoken word allows students to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with peers.

    Why It Resonates:
    A Barna Group study found that 69% of Gen Z students are seeking purpose in their lives. They are eager to find meaning beyond academic success. This keynote bridges the gap between faith and action, helping students see the value of living authentically.

  • Overview:
    This keynote explores how students can use their college experience as a springboard for creating lasting impact, both on campus and in the world beyond graduation. It challenges students to think about the legacy they want to leave, the influence they want to have, and the ways in which they can contribute to the betterment of society. This talk reveals how we each have the power to create change, and that true success lies in the positive impact we make on others.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Defining success beyond academic achievements and considering the long-term impact of one's actions and choices.

    • The importance of service, community, and intentional leadership in creating a life that matters.

    • Using personal influence and purpose to contribute to the larger social good.

    • Artistic expression as a medium for catalyzing social change and inspiring others to take action.

    Target Audience Needs:

    • Purpose and Direction: Many students are focused on getting good grades and landing a job after graduation, but are unsure about how to make their lives meaningful beyond the degree. This keynote will help them envision a future of significance.

    • Social Responsibility: Students are increasingly passionate about issues of social justice, equality, and change. This keynote will empower them to channel those passions into real-world action.

    • Leadership and Influence: The idea of influence is key for college students who are looking to make a difference. This keynote shows them how they can start influencing their world right now, using their voice and talents.

    Why It Resonates:
    According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, students are more focused than ever on social impact and the ability to make a difference. This keynote connects their academic pursuits with broader social and ethical considerations, tapping into the growing desire for purposeful leadership. Spoken word amplifies the call to action, empowering students to take ownership of the change they want to see in the world.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

COURSE 101
THE EMERGING
LEADERS SERIES

4 Workshops
Virtual / In-Person
2.5 Hours Per Workshop
Emerging Leaders

COURSE 101 OVERVIEW

New and emerging student leaders cultivate foundational leadership skills that will make them more effective in leading themselves and others.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

  • Foundational Leadership
    Leadership and personal growth go together. This high-energy workshop gives student leaders the foundational tools they need to lead themselves and others more effectively.

  • Goal Setting & Organization
    Setting goals effectively is a life skill every leader should have. This workshop gives participants effective tools to help them create and accomplish goals that matter.

  • Conflict Management
    Navigating conflict is an important skill. This interactive workshop gives student leaders the tools to recognize different types of conflicts, identify why they occur, and learn how to keep them from destroying healthy relationships.

  • Relationships & Boundaries
    We cannot give away what we do not have. This workshop is an honest conversation about relationships, health, self-worth, and creating healthy physical, mental and emotional boundaries.

COURSE 201
THE GROWING
LEADERS SERIES 

4 Workshops
Virtual / In-Person
2.5 Hours Per Workshop  
Growing Leaders

COURSE 201 OVERVIEW

Growing student leaders develop soft skills that focus on self-awareness, critical thinking, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

  • Communication
    Learning to communicate as a professional is non-negotiable. Effective communication is one of the highest-ranked soft skills employers expect their team members to possess. This workshop shows participants how to level up their communication skills in professional and paraprofessional environments.

  • Personal Values
    Identifying our values is an essential step to effective leadership. Participants will engage in a conversation designed to help them identify their values and examine how those values can create positive changes in their community.

  • Managing Anxiety & Burnout
    Burnout is real. Stress, anxiety, and a breach of boundaries are often the culprits. But establishing professional boundaries and managing stress can be a challenge for new and ambitious leaders. This workshop equips participants with practical tools to help them stay fresh.

  • Overcoming Obstacles
    This workshop shows participants how to harness the power of failure and turn it into success. During this fun and interactive experience, participants will engage in critical-thinking exercises designed to spark creativity and develop personal resilience.

COURSE 301
THE TURNING
PRO SERIES

4 Workshops
Virtual / In-Person
2.5 Hours Per Workshop  
Experienced Leaders

COURSE 301 OVERVIEW

Experienced student leaders learn practical skills that will help them start and sustain successful careers, enhance their value in the marketplace and increase their overall effectiveness.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

  • Starting & Sustaining New Careers
    Becoming a successful professional in any field requires intentionality. This workshop will prepare students for the rigor of the real world. Participants will engage in a fun and interactive experience that will show them how to start and sustain careers that add value to their organizations.

  • Entrepreneurship
    Starting a business can provide a rewarding career. But even if you decide to work for another organization, the skills you learn along the way to developing an enterprise of your own are invaluable. This workshop explores the foundational skills every new entrepreneur or employee with an entrepreneurial spirit needs to succeed at a high level.

  • Developing Cultural Competence
    Working cross-culturally is a must in today’s world. This workshop provides a framework for working efficiently in various cultural contexts. This learning experience will engage student leaders in cultural competence on a personal and professional level.

  • Time Management
    We are equipping new professionals with the tools to move their ideas forward. Participants will learn the three most important factors (Organization, Leadership Capacity, and the Power of Community) necessary to conquer the daily grind and get things done.

Do you have specific learning outcomes For your students? Let's customize an experience to fit your needs. 

MEET THE SPEAKER

Sharlene Provilus, aka Shar, is a dynamic communicator, spoken word poet, and Student Leadership Development coach based in New York.

She’s the founder and CEO of WRITE. SPEAK. INSPIRE.™, a premier education platform dedicated to the personal development of all students (K-12 to college).

With nearly two decades of experience, she leverages her background in youth development, leadership team development, soft skills training, curriculum design, program development, and entrepreneurship to educate and inspire others.

Her ability to connect with diverse age groups and demographics showcases her versatile and inclusive approach.

Sharlene's personal journey adds depth to her professional expertise. Having been adopted twice and surviving child sexual abuse, she travels extensively to educate and inspire others about adoption and foster youth support. Her lived experiences fuel her passion for advocacy and are central themes in her work as an artist and speaker. Sharlene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling from East Carolina University. She is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

As a spoken word poet and recording artist with over a decade of professional performance experience, Sharlene has shared the stage with talented artists, including Antoine Bradford, Chris Webb, Ezekiel Azonwu, Jess Ray, Mission House, and The Verses Project. Renowned for her ability to weave compelling stories through her performances, she also teaches the art of writing, speaking, and inspiring through honest and impactful lines.

Sharlene's artistic talents are central to her advocacy work. She uses the performing arts to shed light on critical social issues, captivating audiences with her authentic and powerful presentations. Her unique ability to blend creativity with leadership has established her as a sought-after speaker and trainer, making her one of the most captivating communicators of her generation.

Through WRITE. SPEAK. INSPIRE.™ and her educational pursuits, Sharlene continues to inspire and lead with passion, authenticity, and a commitment to making a difference.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Interested in hosting a workshop that targets a specific learning outcome?
Connect with us.
storytellers@writespeakinspire.com