Brookfield Resident and WCSU student learns to take charge in leadership program

 

For the past seven years, a number of  Western Connecticut State University students have engaged in building leadership skills in the Hancock Student Leadership Program. Every semester, a handful of students is chosen based on academic prowess and determination to become valued members of the HSLP.

By being exposed to leadership opportunities, students learn what it means to apply their knowledge and skills to a career. Their success comes in not only their willingness to achieve, but also in the valuable instruction they receive from their WCSU professors.

This year’s students are: Kaleigh Cragan, of Oxford, whose leadership placement is with Kim Morgan, CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut; Steffani Carrion, of Danbury, who will work with Dr. William Glass, deputy superintendent of the Danbury Public Schools; Celina Curillo, of Danbury, who is placed with Assistant State’s Attorney Sharmese Hodge; Evelin Garcia, of Danbury, whose leadership placement is with Dr. William Delaney of Primary Care Internal Medicine; Lauren Kerton, of Brookfield, who is placed with Jay Murray, WCSU director of admissions; and Madiha Ahmed Khan, of Danbury, who will work with Dr. Spyros Smith of Western Connecticut Health Network.

“We help students find their leadership style and to realize that they are leaders,” said WCSU Professor of Political Science and Conflict Studies Dr. R. Averell Manes, coordinator of the
program. “Students in the program serve as ambassadors to the community and as role models on campus. Thanks to the generosity of the Hancocks, the program fosters and acknowledges the next generation of America’s leaders. Students learn and apply a broad range of leadership skills and techniques through their leadership shadowing field experiences and a series of scholarly seminars.”

WCSU graduates of the program have said the opportunity to work with a business or professional leader while being a student helped instill confidence and gave them invaluable insight into their chosen field.

Graduate Francesca Testa, who works at WCSU as assistant director of admissions said the HSLP benefited her greatly in her career goals.

“The HSLP provided me with the opportunity to take my leadership skills to the next level,” Testa said. “I was able to take my experience as a campus leader and hone my skills in communication, networking, delegation and professionalism. The skills I learned allowed me to grow into my career and become marketable across various fields, which is invaluable.”    

The HSLP is a joint program offered by the Academic Affairs division at WCSU and is partially funded by the Hancock Scholarship Fund. Ellen M. Hancock and W. Jason Hancock donated $1 million to Western in 2001 to establish the Jason and Ellen Hancock Student Endowment Fund. The fund’s annual income provides need-based student scholarships, student leadership initiatives and initiatives to integrate the creative arts with technology.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

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Submitted by Brookfield, CT

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