LEADStrong prepares students through a holistic leadership experience to become socially responsible leaders engaged within diverse communities. This is the mission statement of the LEADStrong program.
On Friday, Sept. 19, in Grace Hall there was the opening workshop of the LEADStrong program. The program is designed to fit all styles of learners and be manageable for any busy lifestyle. Students with all levels of leadership experience make up most of the program.
In the introduction of the program Anne Filippone, director of the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership, spoke about the social change model that LEADStrong goes by. In the social change model you learn about your leadership, how you work in groups and you learn about your strengths.
Martin Garcia, who was a first timer at the workshop, talked about what he wants out of being in LEADStrong. “My goal is to help others become better leaders. I’m looking to improve myself before I improve others,” Garcia said.
In the first activity every member went around the room looking at quotes posted on the wall said by someone famous. After a few minutes the members then went to a table of the quote that they found the most interesting or liked the best.
At every table was a mentor with the quote and a list of questions asking what you thought about the quote, how it relates to you, etc. The members were able to talk about their own leadership experiences.
Brandon Mincer, an alumnus, was given the opportunity to become a mentor this year when Filippone emailed him asking if he was interested in being a LEADStrong mentor. “I have been in a lot of leadership roles so I felt like this was good for me,” Mincer said. As a staff mentor it is Mincer’s job to guide students in creating a leadership-development plan.
Each group of members has an assigned mentor. Towards the end of the workshop the members met with their mentor to review the quotes they talked about at their table. Brittany Sanner, a junior psychology major, is a proud member of LEADStong. “I love it. I became a leadership minor because of LEADStrong,” Sanner said.
The mentors suggest to take at least two years to complete the program but do not rush you if you want to take three or four years. If you have any interest in joining LEADStrong you can register at the LEADStrong section on Cabrini’s website under Student Life.
