Assistant Provost for Residential Education and Associate Dean for Residential Colleges Jill Stratton hosted a leadership development series during the spring 2022 semester for the University College Leadership Council, a group of student leaders from the upper-division residential colleges.
Session topics included “Cultivating Personal Wellness as a Leader,” “Leveraging Leadership Skills for Your Future” and “Leading with Vision and Integrity.” The programs allowed participants to gather in a variety of residential college spaces, including E. Bronson Ingram College, Moore College, Nicholas S. Zeppos College and Warren College, where they shared their experiences as leaders and peer mentors within these communities while learning from campus partners.
Julius Ervin, student well-being coordinator at the Center for Student Wellbeing, led a conversation in February on personal wellness. Ervin shared resources and engaged participants in small group discussions about strategies to cultivate and sustain wellness in their lives.
When asked how he planned to use what he learned from the session in his leadership, Warren College president Ty West said, “I hope to lead with more empathy and work to strengthen social ties for better group cohesion. I am excited to continue exploring topics as a cohort.”
The March session featured Alex Sevilla, vice provost for career advancement and engagement and Evans Family Executive Director of the Career Center. Sevilla’s presentation focused on cultivating critical leadership skills, including prioritizing intense listening to others, using listening time to build high-level collaborations, and being present with people. “As you think about this experience of being a leader to whatever comes next,” Sevilla said, “allow your authentic selves to tell fascinating stories about this leadership experience.”
The series concluded in April with a session led by Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. Lee shared her leadership philosophy with the council members, including the importance of owning difficult decisions, being clear on non-negotiables, combatting perfectionism and embracing curiosity. The program concluded with an end-of-year closing celebration and reception in the Zeppos College Great Room.
“It was a genuine pleasure to engage in conversations with Julius, Alex and Candice about all things leadership,” Stratton said. “Their willingness to share insights from their own leadership journeys was so appreciated and contributed to the development of the UCLC student leaders.”
Residential colleges are currently installing two councils of student leaders, including the Commons Leadership Council and the college councils for upper-division students. As both groups come together to lead their respective residences, the residential colleges team looks forward to continuing collaborations with campus partners to plan meaningful professional development activities.