Cabrini’s LEADStrong program offers students the opportunity to hone in on their leadership abilities and skills and to “contribute positively to the various communities in which they serve,” director of the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership, Anne Filippone and one of the staff members on the LEADStrong committee, said.
According to the LEADStrong web-page, the LEADStrong program covers topics such as self-awareness, resume writing, conflict resolution and group dynamics. “All students should gain a better understanding of who they are and why they approach situations in a particular way,” Filippone said.
LEADStrong offers around six or seven programs each month through March. Programs titled such as “Interviewing 101,” “Leading from within,” “Living a value driven life” and “What do you mean I can’t do everything?” are offered to help students really hone in on the specific aspects of their leadership skills they want to enhance.
“The qualities that I can learn from the program I can use for my future endeavors and career options,” sophomore LEADStrong participant, Jillian Megna, said. LEADStrong is specifically designed for students who hold leadership positions on campus. “Students must attend workshops to earn a total of 20 workshop points, complete the Student Leadership Practices Inventory, 10 hours of service, and they must hold a leadership role within a student group and another approved group,” Filippone said.
There is a committee of staff and faculty members on that plan the programs for the semester. The committee consists of 12 members including Susan Kramer of the Residence Life department, Stephanie Salinis from Campus Ministry, Andy West from Athletics and Recreation, Richie Gebauer from the First Year Experience and others.
“We also get a great deal of feedback from others, both on campus and off,” Filippone said. “And [we] participate in a consortium of local colleges and universities focused on leadership education.”
LEADStrong is open to all undergraduate students and although it is a certificate program, it’s free of charge. Although LEADStrong is program that is only two years old, the committee is looking forward to gaining more participants in the upcoming semester.
“I’m looking forward to getting new members and having the reputation of LEADStrong grow on campus,”Amber LaJeunesse, assistant director of the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership and a current LEADStrong committee member said. “The more students we have a part of the program, the more the students will get out of it.”
LEADStrong’s opening workshop is on Friday, Feb. 1 in the Iadarola Center from 3:30-5:30. If anyone is interested in registering, visit the LEADStrong website.
