Campus Involvement: Student Government and Leadership - NJSLC 2016

Every summer, students from all 28 Jesuit Universities throughout the United States gather at a Jesuit University to attend the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference, a 5 day conference centered around a theme that embodies the Jesuit spirit. This past summer, I was lucky enough to be chosen to travel to Regis University in Denver, Colorado with 15 other Fordham student leaders to attend the Peace by Piece conference. NJSLC is designed for student leaders to connect with students and faculty from other Jesuit institutions and gives students a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, learn how other institutions’ student government function, and compare ideas to further the Jesuit mission.

The 2016 Fordham Delegates from Lincoln Center & Rose Hill

Me & Francesca doing the Ropes Course

In addition to workshops, we were also given time to venture into Denver. One night we went into Downtown Denver, where we got to eat a delicious dinner and do some exploring (we even happened to run into Ben Higgins, the most recent Bachelor!). In addition, one day of the conference was devoted to a “Colorado Adventure”. Fordham’s group went to a ropes challenge course in the mountains where we participated in team-building exercises. Not only did I conquer my fear of heights and do some bonding with the other Fordham students, but we got some spectacular views of the Flatiron Mountains.

Views from our Sunrise Hike

The 2016 conference was centered around the promotion of peace and disarmament. Two days were devoted to educational workshops put on by students from the universities and each conference participant was required to attend three workshops. I attended a Privilege Walk put on by Seattle University, an open dialogue on the Black Lives Matter movement by Gonzaga University, and a presentation on peaceful protests by Saint Louis University. All of the presentations were extremely informative and they were made all the more relevant because they were put on by students my age. It was inspiring to see how much positive change students are creating at Jesuit institutions across the nation!

While the conference activities were fun and informative, my favorite part of the conference was spending time with the other Fordham delegates. Fordham’s group was split between Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, and I got to meet some amazing LC students that I probably never would’ve connected with had it not been for NJSLC. One of the mornings, our group chose to wake up at 4:00am and go on a sunrise hike in the Red Rocks. The view was stunning and the experience was unforgettable. It made me realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such amazing, caring people at Fordham.

Fordham makes it so easy to get involved and becoming a student leader is some of the best ways to meet people. Whether you join United Student Government, Campus Activities Board, or one of our 125+ clubs, you’re sure to meet some amazing people and make unforgettable memories that you’ll cherish in the years beyond graduation. NJSLC has been one of my favorite Fordham experiences and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to attend next year’s conference in Washington DC!

New Student Orientation Never Ends

While orientation may seem like a long ways away, the preparations have been in the works for months. Yesterday, hundreds of students scrambled to finish their New Student Orientation Leader applications. Students applying for a leader or captain position eagerly filled out their applications and signed up for interviews before the deadline. Coordinators will review applications and screen candidates to create the perfect team of passionate leaders to orient new students.

Me and my orientation partner!

Each year, the New Student Orientation Leader and Captain positions are highly coveted. Many enthusiastic Rams want the opportunity to give new students the fun and memorable orientation experience they had, and to show that new students made the right decision in choosing Fordham. Those who have participated in New Student Orientation describe it has a great time making new friends, as well as a rewarding experience.

Leaders and Captains arrive at the end of August for training. Training involves listening to presentations from the Deans of Rose Hill and Gabelli, Office of Student Involvement, Residence Life, and Health Services to name a few. In between information sessions, leaders battle it out with other teams of leaders in favorites like the Olympics and Dance-Off. Everyone is dressed head to toe in their team colors, screaming and shouting for their teammates. Those who emerge victorious receive eternal bragging rights and hold a place in Orientation Leader history. 

"FUEL"ing the Leadership Spirit

I’m currently in the midst of an application frenzy. Desperately seeking an internship for this summer, job descriptions have become additional required reading for me this semester. Every job posting I have my eye on is distinct, but what they have in common is that they are seeking “leaders." As a young sophomore, I realized that I haven’t refined my leadership skills to their fullest potential. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of Fordham University Emerging Leaders, or FUEL for short.

Sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement, FUEL is a ten week workshop for students to develop their leadership skills. Every week we have the opportunity to listen to guest speakers, which include various faculty members, professors, and administrators, present on various topic related to leadership. Some of these topics include motivation, public speaking, diversity, and Ignatian values. We also participate in many group activities, which allows us to meet other students interested in becoming better leaders, and we have weekly challenges to fulfill.

This week we listened to a presentation on values and learned that in order to become a better leader we have to be in touch with our own values as well as identify the values of the people we are in touch with. This week’s challenge, in preparation for next week’s presentation on mindfulness, is to note all the times in the week we are faced with stressful situations.

Prepped and ready to go for today's session.

This year’s theme is “Know the way, go the way, show the way.” Knowing the way is knowing who I am as a leader, knowing those I am leading, and having a clear vision for the future. Going the way is taking initiative and setting an example for others. Showing the way is learning to be the best leader possible and inspiring others to become leaders as well. At the end of FUEL, I will be better equipped to do all three in my academic and social life. Also, hopefully I will finish all my internship applications and ace the interviews, so I can apply what I learned from FUEL to my career as well!