By Student Involvement
Thursday, 07 15 2021

 

The Office of Student Involvement hosted the LeaderShape Institute at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch from May 22-25. Fifty-three students participated in the 4-day intensive program to learn more about themselves, others, and their community. They created a vision of what they would like their ideal world to look like and built steps to achieve their vision. 

Participant Hayde Gonzalez Cejas said, “LeaderShape was a moment, and I am so glad I got to live in that moment. I consider myself one of the lucky few who got to see a very vulnerable and authentic side of the student community here at TAMU-SA.”

Two Institute Alumni of the 2021 session attended as on-site coordinators and had this to say:

“As an alumnus of the program, I was excited to attend as an on-site coordinator and work behind the scenes. As a faculty member, I got to see the participants experience the program as they learned more about themselves and their world. I got to see them blossom with growth. This program is a great opportunity to build leaders! I can’t wait to see the 2022 participants active on campus!” - Ashley Scribner, Junior.

“I participated in the LeaderShape Institute last year, and it was honestly a very eye-opening experience where I felt very safe and supported. When I was asked to come back as an on-site coordinator, I was nervous but excited. I enjoyed being able to help out with the behind-the-scenes work along with my partner in crime, Ashley Scribner. To see the program unfold from an outside perspective was amazing. Meeting the students on Day 1 when they were boarding the bus, nervous and tired, and then seeing them on the last day at commencement where they were all laughing and smiling. Throughout their days at LeaderShape, they all formed many connections, and seeing that evolve is something I’m glad I witnessed.” - Lori Day, Senior.

Students were placed into small groups, called cluster families, and led by an A&M-SA staff member:

• Discovery Dancers, led by Victor Gomez, Career Advisor
• Sneaky Turtles, led by Elisa Avila, Service, and Experiential Learning Coordinator
• Thee Didgeridoos, led by Juan Espinoza, Assistant Director for Transfer Student Engagement
• Outlandish Bomb Squad, led by Dr. Reba Sims, Assistant Director for Family Engagement
• The Amendments, led by Sherry Patrick, Assistant Director of Assistive Technology
• Cristina Dominguez, Assistant Director for Student Involvement, coordinated the Institute. 

Look through the event photos here!