MIDDLETOWN- Through a variety of programs, student government, and clubs at SUNY Orange, students have opportunities to learn all aspects of leadership, including learning how to move the needle toward a common goal, navigating ways to craft policies to benefit everyone equitably, overcoming fears that are holding back progress, discovering resources and exploring ways to discuss uncomfortable topics or conflicts that end in fair resolutions.
Interested students can choose from a selection of options to acquire meaningful leadership skills, including the unique and award-winning program “I Am a Leader,” created during the 2014-15 academic year by the College’s Center for Student Involvement. The multi-session series has been recognized by the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Mid-Atlantic Region as an Outstanding Leadership Program. All enrolled degree-seeking students can sign up for this series of workshops and projects designed to teach leadership skills.
“The I Am a Leader program spoke to me as I am typically not the type of person to seek out leadership roles. However, I believed this program would help me build my leadership skills,” said Summa-Reign Baynes. “I hope I can build more connections and provide more value to the community.”
The Center for Student Involvement is also home to two vital leadership groups: the Student Senate and Board of Activities (BOA). The Senate is a body of elected student government officers who represent the entire student body. They review and vote on club budgets before distributing funds and handle other matters that impact the student population.
Recently, the Student Senate passed a resolution in support of enhanced funding for State University of New York (SUNY) community colleges, which was distributed to local NYS Assembly and Senate members as well as Governor Kathy Hochul and several leaders within the state Legislature. Some of SUNY Orange’s student Senators have also joined fellow students from across the state during advocacy events in Albany, further extending their representation of the SUNY Orange student body.
Senate President Brianna Reid, previously from Chandler, Arizona, is studying natural science and working toward a career related to agriculture or sustainability. “This has been an amazing experience, and I received support from day one. It was the result of being recognized by faculty members for my interactions in class and speaking up, that brought me to become a member of the Student Senate. Senate members are as diverse as the student population and many experiences mimic those found in the workplace with a strong focus on communication skills.”
For students seeking a slightly less formal, yet equally impactful, leadership role, the Board of Activities is a student-run group that provides “…cultural, social and recreational opportunities for students to have a quality college experience outside the classroom.”
Funded by student activity fees, BOA organizes many social activities for students. A recent initiative is the “Week of Welcome” in which BOA delivers daily events during the first week of each semester designed to generate a sense of belonging for new and returning students. Students on the BOA Board also attend an annual NACA conference each year that allows them to meet with vendors and select those that will provide events or activities with the highest appeal for most of the student population at a reasonable cost.
Jonah Martinez, a recent SUNY Orange graduate and former BOA president said he learned several important leadership traits, such as “the ability to praise and recognize good performance in others and being a caring individual who promotes the well-being of their peers.
Perhaps the most visible student leadership platform at the College is the role of Student Trustee, who represents the entire student body as a full voting member of the SUNY Orange Board of Trustees. The Student Trustee, who also sits on the College Association Board, is generally elected for a one-year term. Recently graduated Student Trustee Djean Nikitov grew up in Uruguay before moving to New York and becoming a student at SUNY Orange.
“This was a valuable and formative experience professionally and personally. I learned something new every day,” Nikitov said about his role as Student Trustee, which included him attending a national workshop with several other members of the Board of Trustees.
Whether intrinsically self-motivated or at the recommendation of others, a range of leadership opportunities are available for SUNY Orange students and will absolutely transfer to the workplace and real-life situations off-campus.
More information about the Student Senate, National Association of Campus Activities, and the college’s many programs can be found on their website, www.sunyorange.edu.
