Over 500 student delegates from Universities and Colleges across the Midwest are in Kearney this weekend. The Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls Conference is bringing students together to share ideas and success stories from their campuses.

Zach Shultz is one of the delegates. He says, "We're here discussing programs and how to better our campuses through networking. So by creating these connections we can all better our campuses."

In addition to college life, the conference is also bringing attention to a local non-profit.

Kristen Larsen is Executive Director of Arc of Buffalo County. The private non-profit provides services and advocacy to people of all ages with developmental disabilities and their families. Larsen says the weekend conference hosted by college students is a great way to get their message out there.

"This is an awareness and inclusion opportunity, to embrace people with dignity and respect and really learn from each other. I was so grateful that I had the opportunity to address all of the delegates from across the Midwest. I hope they really take the idea of serving people with developmental disabilities back to their Universities and Colleges

Larsen added she hopes the message empowers students to make a difference in their hometown communities.