University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's student leaders are impacting the University and the surrounding community in ways that will leave meaningful and lasting contributions. High levels of student participation in clubs and organizations are resulting in stronger leadership skills and improved University events, services and town-gown relations, and Penn State administrators are taking active steps to foster those skills.
Such was the message shared by Vicky L. Triponey, vice president for Student Affairs, and a panel of student leaders and student affairs administrators at the Board of Trustees meeting on Friday (Jan. 20) at Penn State's University Park campus.
Triponey reported that undergraduate involvement is high -- at 75 percent -- according to a recent student satisfaction survey, and among that engaged student population, 64 percent believe their club participation has "strongly" improved their leadership effectiveness.
"I continue to be grateful that so many of our students have discovered ways to give back to Dear Old State by enhancing the experience for their fellow students and by making Penn State a more vibrant and caring community," said Triponey. "And in return, as our students immerse themselves in the experience available beyond the classroom, I believe it is clear that Penn State is having a deep and lasting impact on the students' growth and leadership potential."
The key to effectively nurturing students' leadership potential, said Triponey, is actively listening to them. To better understand and enhance students' experiences and strengthen their level of meaningful engagement, the senior staff of Student Affairs now schedules open office hours to make themselves more accessible.
In this same vein, Student Affairs has conducted a series of summits with students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders to focus on such goals as cultivating collaboration and ownership in strategic-planning efforts and diversity initiatives. In addition, the University has conducted open forums, has involved student leaders in the creation of a new student-centered programming board, and has expanded the membership of its Cabinet of Student Leaders, which works closely with administrators to ensure policies and initiatives are aligned with student concerns.
"We believe it is vital that we cultivate a trusting and collaborative partnership with key student organizations and leaders that are responsible for activities and initiatives that help to build a stronger community and advance cocurricular learning," said Triponey.
Tara Burnham, an advertising-public relations major who served as the 2005 overall chair of Homecoming, joined Triponey to tell the board how student participation and leadership has been effective at building a stronger campus community. For instance, Burnham cited changes made to this year's Homecoming programming that resulted in more student-pride and community-service events being added to the lineup. This year also saw an increase in student involvement from diverse groups outside the Greek community, as well as more participation from students from other Penn State campuses.
Bridget Daly, an animal bioscience major and immediate past president of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, gave the board a personal account of how the University helped to develop her leadership skills. Involved in an impressive variety of student clubs and organizations at both the Abington and University Park campuses, Daly said her experiences have been formative.
"I can honestly say that all these experiences have changed me as a person," she said. "They have enhanced many of the things I have learned in the classroom -- which translated into my leadership responsibilities."
Ryan Bennington, an international politics and African-American studies major who is the president of the new Off-Campus Student Union (OCSU), apprised the board of OCSU-led improvements in town-gown relations. Now in its second year of existence at University Park, the OCSU advocates for off-campus students through such events as renter's rights forums. The OCSU also has forged inroads to the State College community through programs such as the landlord/off campus housing annual semester meeting.
Bennington reported that his group is "making real strides" in developing relationships with State College administrators such as Mayor Bill Welch and Police Chief Tom King, who keep their doors open to students and welcome discussions about students' concerns. The OCSU is now a very active participant in downtown service projects and has assisted with such events as the first annual holiday lighting tour.
Felicia McGinty, the University's associate vice president for student engagement, reiterated Student Affairs' goal of encouraging the collective voices of thousands of students actively involved in more than 700 student organizations. Staff in the Center for Student Engagement and Unions and Student Activities support student groups by providing such services as leadership training, an improved organization registration process, meeting space reservations and banking accounts for club funds.
Building off this already strong base of student participation and leadership, Student Affairs looks to continue to engage even more students systemwide in the future.
"As has been the case at Penn State for the past 150 years, we will continue to graduate students who are ready to lead our communities, our businesses and our government," concluded Triponey. "And I am confident that these wonderful students will indeed change the world just as they have contributed in significant ways to enhance the Penn State experience and cultivate a sense of belonging for their fellow Penn Staters."