On Feb. 17, Amanda Wagner, Assistant Director of Transfer Admission at Sacred Heart University, hosted a workshop via Zoom highlighting the importance of leadership and personal development skills. This allowed for students to become involved within their community and determine what they can gain from inclusion.
“This workshop is one of those ways to enhance your leadership skills,” said Wagner. “You get to learn from others on campus about how to think and act like a leader on campus.”
This event was part of the Student Activities “Unleash Your Potential” series. This series aims to show students, faculty and staff of Sacred Heart what they are capable of and how their actions can influence others.
“I had a mentor tell me once that their role was to hold up a mirror for me to realize what I could do and become,” said Wagner. “If you want to unleash your full potential, take advantage of the opportunities around you to expand your view and gain new skills.”
During this workshop, students were able to define and understand the differences between diversity, inclusion, equity and justice.
“Inclusion is bringing people to the table, equity is who isn’t at the table, and why,” said Wagner. “Diversity is the difference of people, where justice is building off of equity, essentially doing the work and bringing everyone together.”
“It is great to attend a workshop like this because these are the conversations that need to happen more often,” said Connie Cuccurese, Assistant Director of Student Activities. “It is important to take the time to listen, learn and gain a new perspective.”
At Sacred Heart, students are encouraged to branch out and join different organizations, clubs and sports teams.
“Being on a sports team, you learn how to be a team player and how to work with others,” said junior Anna Pirkl, member of both the track and cross country team. “I think that when other people see someone that is involved in something, they will want to do the same, whether it is in their comfort zone or not.”
“Growing up as a kid, I was involved in many different things such as Girl Scouts and even involved in my church,” said Wagner. “Being involved in sports allowed me to rely on others in order to meet my goals.”
Inclusive leadership allows people to be able to identify implicit biases and how they impact leadership as a whole.
“It is important as leaders to step up. Change starts with you,” said Cuccurese. “Don’t be afraid to speak up and discuss the topic of inclusivity. The more this happens, the more you, as a leader, can create change.”
“A phrase we use often in the Student Activities office is, you need to get uncomfortable to get comfortable,” said Cuccurese. “Challenging yourself to be open to learning new things, taking in different perspectives, and putting your newfound knowledge to the test.”
In the workshop, Student Activities suggested the “Dare To Lead” podcast, hosted by Aiko Bethea, to continue the conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Toward the end of the session, Amanda shared ‘Where do I go from here?’ She explained it is important to continue to learn, read articles, watch videos, attend presentations or even go to events where you can learn from other leaders with different identities from your own,” said Cuccurese.
