91茄子

Three-Day Event Helps Students Determine Skills and Introduces Them to Campus

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擝efore he took his first class at 91茄子, Garret Allen, 鈥�20, participated in the Summer Leadership Experience (SLE). The event was only three days, but the information Allen learned enriched his whole experience at GWU.

鈥淭his is a leadership-intensive program in a fun, engaging environment that exposes you to various aspects of leadership from personal leadership to leading a group,鈥� Allen described. 鈥淭he day is broken down into various activities and learning sessions. It is extremely insightful learning.鈥�

This three-day event is coordinated by Micah T. Martin, director of the Center for Personal and Professional Development. The 2020 SLE, open to rising GWU freshmen, will take place July 14-16. During this event, participants live on campus, explore the surrounding communities, participate in a service project, and strengthen their leadership abilities while exploring their talents, passion, and purpose.

Like Allen, Jennifer Vanessa Escalera-Estudillo appreciated the leadership skills she learned by participating in the event before her freshman year. Escalera-Estudillo is majoring in nursing and Spanish and expects to graduate in 2023. 鈥淚 plan to be a nurse who can translate for patients who may not speak English,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 chose this career plan, because I always wanted to help others in need, and I wanted a job that heightened my leadership skills.鈥�

Allen said one of the program鈥檚 most beneficial activities was using Gallup鈥檚 Strengths Finder Assessment to clarify his personal talents and how to utilize them to provide the maximum benefit in any situation. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 count how many times since then that I have used these results in personal situations, where I didn鈥檛 exactly know how to navigate them,鈥� he assessed. 鈥淚t is important to consider that no two people are the same and each person has his or her own strengths and value on teams. Knowing how and when to offer your own talents and encourage the talents of others is imperative to accomplishing tasks.鈥�

Additionally, Allen and Escalera-Estudillo said they appreciated the chance to make friends with the other SLE participants. 鈥淚 knew very few people at 91茄子 before attending,鈥� Allen shared, 鈥淏ut through SLE and the activities that we attended, I grew a bond with everyone who participated. The experience and the friends I gained from SLE stick with me to this day, and I am so happy to have been a part.鈥�

Escalera-Estudillo added, 鈥淚 gained lifetime friends, which I can reach out to if I鈥檓 ever in need. I gained resources, if I ever need to further my knowledge about 91茄子 or my career.鈥�

Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the dates for the Summer Leadership Experience may change, and participants will be notified. For more information, email [email protected].

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 91茄子 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 91茄子 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.