Spring Break
Do you have what it takes to be a leader?
Akela Yarn
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: Features
A college degree is no longer the minimum requirement for the job market. Leadership is the new prerequisite.
According to The New York Times, leadership is becoming increasingly important to all students, especially to those who struggle in the classroom. Strong leadership skills can set applicants apart from the competition because employers tend to praise commitment to service in prospective employees.
For ECU students, leadership skills can be attainted through different organizations and positions during their college career. However, the Intercultural Student Affairs, Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, and LWCC Emissaries are taking a different approach to leadership.
The third annual Multicultural Leadership Conference will take place Oct. 4 from 10 a.m-3 p.m. in Mendenhall Student Center. This year's theme is "Blue Print for Leadership," and will focus on the effectiveness of leadership through diversity with interactive workshops for students.
"[The workshops] are designed to usher in fresh ideas and viewpoints as to how to be an impact leader," said Kyndall Peele, LWCC Emissary,
Sessions included in the conference will be "Brother to Brother/Sister to Sister," which gives an opportunity for students to address any issues they may witness in their community. A new session, "Hip-Hop Goes to School" will address the use of derogatory terms and other topics in hip-hop culture.
The keynote speaker will be attorney Rasheed Cromwell, the founder and CEO of The Harbor Institute, a Washington, D.C. based company that strives to empower minority students to excel.
According to LaQuesha Foster, the associate director of the LWCC, the conference aims to help students better represent themselves as well as the university.
"Leadership is knowing when to be a leader and when to be a follower and being able to take both and effectively use the roles," said Foster, who hopes the conference will attract students from different backgrounds.
While the event concentrates on leadership, it will also encourage students to network.
"[The conference] surrounds the idea of meeting new people of different cultural backgrounds and connecting in order to succeed in their lives outside of college," Foster said.
Foster added that students would benefit from the conference through new connections and valuable information from professionals, offering a new understanding of the expectations from potential employees.
"We want students to come into the conference with an open mind and not with an attitude of 'I already know this,'" Foster said.
The event is open for all ECU students. Registration is five dollars and covers a leadership packet, breakfast and lunch, along with various prizes and gifts. Students can register throughout the week at the center and at the door on the day of the conference.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
According to The New York Times, leadership is becoming increasingly important to all students, especially to those who struggle in the classroom. Strong leadership skills can set applicants apart from the competition because employers tend to praise commitment to service in prospective employees.
For ECU students, leadership skills can be attainted through different organizations and positions during their college career. However, the Intercultural Student Affairs, Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, and LWCC Emissaries are taking a different approach to leadership.
The third annual Multicultural Leadership Conference will take place Oct. 4 from 10 a.m-3 p.m. in Mendenhall Student Center. This year's theme is "Blue Print for Leadership," and will focus on the effectiveness of leadership through diversity with interactive workshops for students.
"[The workshops] are designed to usher in fresh ideas and viewpoints as to how to be an impact leader," said Kyndall Peele, LWCC Emissary,
Sessions included in the conference will be "Brother to Brother/Sister to Sister," which gives an opportunity for students to address any issues they may witness in their community. A new session, "Hip-Hop Goes to School" will address the use of derogatory terms and other topics in hip-hop culture.
The keynote speaker will be attorney Rasheed Cromwell, the founder and CEO of The Harbor Institute, a Washington, D.C. based company that strives to empower minority students to excel.
According to LaQuesha Foster, the associate director of the LWCC, the conference aims to help students better represent themselves as well as the university.
"Leadership is knowing when to be a leader and when to be a follower and being able to take both and effectively use the roles," said Foster, who hopes the conference will attract students from different backgrounds.
While the event concentrates on leadership, it will also encourage students to network.
"[The conference] surrounds the idea of meeting new people of different cultural backgrounds and connecting in order to succeed in their lives outside of college," Foster said.
Foster added that students would benefit from the conference through new connections and valuable information from professionals, offering a new understanding of the expectations from potential employees.
"We want students to come into the conference with an open mind and not with an attitude of 'I already know this,'" Foster said.
The event is open for all ECU students. Registration is five dollars and covers a leadership packet, breakfast and lunch, along with various prizes and gifts. Students can register throughout the week at the center and at the door on the day of the conference.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
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