Building leaders

S.T.A.R.S conference provides students opportunities

Ferris students got the opportunity to build leadership skills that will benefit them greatly throughout their college and career years.

The S.T.A.R.S conference was held in the Rankin Center on Saturday, Feb. 5. Talia Simpson, National Residence Hall Honorary president, said the conference put on several different programs ranging from building acceptance of diversity, gaining personal awareness and confidence, as well as developing good listening skills.

Simpson said the sole purpose of the event was to provide students with the experience of a leadership conference without the expense and travel time of going somewhere else.

Jon Shaffer, director of housing, said promoting leadership on campus is meant to help students build leadership skills and development. He also said it helps students to be leaders.

“Hosting a leadership conference is what NRHH is all about,” said Shaffer.

Shaffer delivered a welcome speech at the beginning of the conference. Four sessions featuring educational, diversity and social programs were offered to those who attended. The discussions offered students to engage in discussions within the programs.

Simpson said students will be able to take the information they have learned back to their halls or apply it to their lives.

The leadership conference was offered to all students who were looking to improve their leadership abilities, including those who are resident advisers and presidents of RSOs.

Simpson said the conference was also meant to help students build confidence within their leading abilities and give them something to take back to their positions as leaders.

Shaffer believes it’s important for students to take advantage of opportunities like this in order to help them develop leadership skills.

“The great thing about it is the office of student leadership and activities obviously does a lot of great stuff in building developing leadership skills,” said Shaffer.

He also said having another group on campus to promote the building of leadership skills makes it better for students and the opportunities given to them.

Simpson said there is conferences similar to this one held on regional and national levels. MORHA is a conference that is held annually for participating universities within Michigan and GLACURH is for the Great Lakes states and Ontario. .

“Any kind of leadership skills you can bring to the table is going to help set you apart; it’s just a great opportunity for our students to participate in,” said Shaffer. n