UNF Student Leadership Summit

[williamjackson]

UNF Student Leadership Summit

"Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things,
not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to
the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered
and that gives their work meaning" Warren G. Bennis.

The importance of developing leaders can be seen by the diverse roles
leaders play in the evolution of America’s relationship nationally and
internationally within politics, business, economics, science, military, civic
engagement, education and multicultural relationships in the expanding
international market place and exchanges of goods and services.

Educational institutions such as University of North Florida understand
they have a responsibility as an institute of higher learning to build future
leaders now so they will be prepared to handle the responsibilities of
future challenges. Applied to the quote "Leadership is the capacity and
will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character
which inspires confidence" Bernard Montgomery, British Field Marshall.

This Third Annual Student Leadership Summit provided empowering
information to the student body of the University of North Florida. Building
and encouraging growing leaders in disciplines that span
the prolific learning opportunities presented at UNF. An academic leader
in higher education in Jacksonville, Florida, UNF presented a dynamic
summit that will influence the leadership potential of students that attended.
This year’s theme, GO THERE! TRANSFORMING VALUES INTO ACTION,
“is designed to give you (students) the tools to expand your circle of
influence and add your voice and ingenuity to the many challenges and
needs of our world” Dr. Annabell Brooks.

The African American Student Union made a significant presence in its
quest to present positive and progressive change in the involvement of
African American students in leadership roles throughout Jacksonville, Florida
and in national affairs in economics, politics, and education. The AASU
made a significant statement by bringing Dr. Michael Dyson to the stage in
Feb 2011. Dr. Dyson has been named as one of the 100 most influential
black Americans by Ebony Magazine and shared his unique insights in
education, race relations, politics and even religion. His visit will be
remembered for its progressive and gritty dialogue about our individual
and collective relationships that mold and bind
our interrelated interaction as a diverse people.

The progressiveness and willingness to present forums/workshops
that address the challenges of our society is a strong point at UNF, this
is one reason why the Student Leadership Summit was a great
success.

Available breakout sessions at this year’s Leadership Summit provided
opportunities for students to interact with business leaders such as
(Gregory Bruce, CEO Apollo Worldwide), educational pioneers like
(Rachael Tutwiler, Jacksonville Public Education Fund) and civic leaders
who have passion for children (Dr. Shannon H. Perry, CEO Boys and
Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida).

These are just a few of the vast resources and networking opportunities
for students involved in the building of community partnerships, civic
engagement with children, branding and building a positive social media
involvement and personal/business image through social media.  The
educational component cannot be overlooked as this was a partnership
between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at UNF.

International action groups involved in Africa were discussed by Keynote
Speaker, Caitlin Kelley (Africa Volunteer Corps) and Keynote Speaker,
Jacksonville’s admired and respected MaliVai Washington (MaliVai Washington
Kids Foundation) which positively influences youth in the Jacksonville
community and partnerships with DCPS and world known tennis program.

The involvement of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation assists
students with resources that address academic and community involvement.
Bridging students over challenges that create struggles in success
either in academic or social arenas of a young person’s life.

The growth and influence of Social Media was a popular session with
Jessica Thomas (Thomas Marketing Consulting) discussing the influences
of personal branding. The power of using Social Media to manage a person’s
reputation and how students should manage their content because this is
how people will perceive and judge them through the use of Facebook,
LinkedIn, Google + and other Social Media sites. Importantly potential
employers are looking at a person’s online content to use this as a gauge
for potential employment.

Education is always a complex and engaging topic; Rachael Tutwiler
conducted a realistic and motivating dialogue with students on their
responsibility and accountability to be involved in their communities.
Ms. Tutwiler, a graduate of UNF (2008) with a Bachelor’s degree in
political science and minor in public administration uses her leadership
skills in the many volunteer aspects of her life. Skills in leadership
developed from her roles as Student Body President at UNF among
other numerous capacities.

A Manager of Community Engagement at the Jacksonville Public Education
Fund, Ms. Tutwiler’s passion is supporting educational achievement. The
goal of increasing the graduation rate of students in the Duval County
Public Schools can be seen in the developing forums, community
engagement in discussions and ONE By ONE: Your Voice Matters initiatives
that can be participated in at the Cummer Museum of Art &Gardens. This
is where ONE in THREE: Let’s Solve Our Dropout Crisis is on display
(www.onebyonejax.org). Parents are encouraged to participate if their
children are struggling in school and potentially dropping out of high school.
“ONE by ONE is an unprecedented initiative to bring together thousands
of people in Duval County to create a shared vision for our public school
system then work to make that vision a reality” (jaxpef.org/Home.aspx).

Ms. Tutwiler’s oratory skills developed from her involvement in community
affairs; Executive Committee of the NAACP and coordinator of the Young
Black Intellectuals. She has served as a teacher in DCPS and understands
the importance of community engagement, parent participation in the
learning environment of schools and involvement of community stakeholders.
More of Ms. Tutwiler’s workshop can be heard at:
Part 1 - http://youtu.be/YClDivDe_hg about 10 minutes
Part 2 - http://youtu.be/SVHOiyYBgvQ about 35 minutes

Pictures or her presentation: http://photobucket.com/rachaeltutwiler

Conclusion:
Summits such as this spring forth abilities, talents and skills that lay
dormant in students. Students are unwritten manuscripts just waiting for
the right pen, the right motivation, the right inspiration to start a process
of historical documentation. Leadership can be embedded in the quietest
sheep ready to be cultivated and seasoned for greatness in the voice of a
mighty lion that can move a nation. Leadership summits have the power to
build a future of prosperity for a country. UNF has started a processes that
has unforeseen power in students that will take our world to new discoveries.
"If your actions as a leader inspire others to dream more, learn more, do
more and become more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams

Wm Jackson, M.Edu
DCPS / Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, Florida
jacksonw@duvalschools.org
http://myquesttoteach.wordpress.com

[Captain Zissou]

Thanks for sharing.  I went to a number of these types of thing in college and they were all very helpful and inspirational.  One of the most encouraging things was seeing all of the other students from different schools who were working so hard.  Unfortunately I haven't really found a place like that since graduation.