UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Six students from Penn State New Kensington attended the 28th annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute Nov.7-9 in Lancaster. Senior Hannah McBean, junior Yasmin Ray, sophomores Sandra Muhhuku and Henry Djomgoue, and freshmen Alain Niyibizi and and Wati Kumwenda participated in the three-day event.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education Inc. (PBCOHE), the conference is designed to address topics essential to developing leadership skills for African-American, Latino-Americans and other multicultural college students. The event gives students an opportunity to participate in workshops that examine cross-cultural communication, interpersonal relations, inclusive environments and cultural awareness. In addition to an opportunity for leadership development, students have a forum to exchange ideas and to network with each other as well as faculty and staff.
“I was able to network with various students who had positions of leadership in their respective universities,” said Djomgoue, a first-time participant. “Talking with these students helped me understand the idea that one can serve as a leader in many ways.”
“To be perfectly honest, this experience changed my entire outlook on my future,” said Ray, a psychology major, attending her first conference. “Sometimes having big dreams in a small town can alienate a person, but at this conference, I was surrounded by like minds with a vision for success not unlike my own. I appreciated the diversity among African-Americans, who are usually the minority in collegiate settings. There were many non-African-Americans in attendance receiving the same wonderful message, resources and suggestions on how to be successful.”
More than 300 students from colleges and universities from across the commonwealth participated in the conference, which comprises professionals from the public and private sectors -- education, business, social services, law and government -- who are committed to improving and ensuring the education of blacks and other underrepresented groups at Pennsylvania colleges and universities.
“The conference theme was building excellence in leadership, and the different workshops I attended were very relevant to the theme,” said Niyibizi, who is studying in the science program. “The quality of the speakers was great, especially the featured speaker, Dr. Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon.”
“The workshops were really motivating and very enriching,” said Muhhuku, a petroleum engineering major. “Being around a lot of people with a similar mindset as mine made the conference even better.”
Muhhuku, a two-year veteran of the conference, was not only a participant but an honored guest. The Uganda native was selected for the Outstanding Student award.
“I heard my name and I had a mashup of surprise and excitement, and a ton of other emotions,” Muhhuku said. “Together they felt like marshmallows, chocolates and rainbows on a sunny day.”
Angie Fisher, administrative support assistant for student affairs at the campus, nominated Muhhuku for the award. Fisher was impressed by Muhhuku’s determination to be a good role model for other students.
“I have watched Sandra grow from this quiet, shy person that she was when she first came to Penn State New Kensington to this amazing outgoing strong leader,” Fisher said. “She has good leadership skills and communicates well with others. She is more confident in herself and with the decisions that she makes.”
Muhhuku had special praise for Fisher, who serves as the adviser to the Multicultural Club on campus and who escorted the group to Lancaster. The Multicultural Club promotes the awareness of cultural diversity through student-sponsored activities and events that serve to educate students, faculty and staff on the importance of better understanding and acceptance between all members of the campus community. The club recently held a panel discussion on the "Many Faces of Islam."
“I can’t say thank you enough times to the school and other sponsors for this opportunity to become a better leader now and in the future,” Muhhuku said. “And special gratitude to Ms. Angie Fisher for going with us to the conference and always looking out for us as an adviser.”
Muhhuku was not a passive attendee at last year’s conference either. When she was not in the audience for the lectures and workshops, she was on the stage for the talent show that was held in the evening on the second day. She recited "Miss Me,” a poem written by her friend Kamukama Merab. Muhhuku previously performed in Uganda at the national theater as well as Nabisunsa Girls School, her high school. In addition to performing, she writes poetry. According to Muhhuku, poetry gives her a “chance to be myself.”
“Whenever I write I feel alive, and when I recite I don't have to worry about anything,” she said. “It's like I've stepped into a galaxy of stars, and nothing really matters.”
A Penn State New Kensington student receiving recognition at the conference is becoming somewhat of a tradition. McBean, an adult learner in the organizational leadership program, is a former honoree at the conference. Two years ago, she walked across the stage to receive the Outstanding Student award and a K. Leroy Irvis undergraduate scholarship. Last year, she was on the stage to sing “Brotha,” a song written by Angie Stone. In February, at the spring PBLOHE meeting, she again walked across the stage as a Lynch scholarship recipient. Next year, she will be on stage as a presenter.
“The Student leadership Development Institute was amazing, as it has been for the last four years” said McBean, who will earn her bachelor’s degree in December. “I always meet students with the same goal as I have, and I network with professionals who once were where I am as a student, but have beaten the odds and prospered. Next year, I will attend as a professional.”
The conference offered a variety of experiences for the students. Djomgoue admired the guest speakers talking about personal development.
“While it is often said that one can do whatever it is that they set their mind to, it can be overlooked easily when spoken by parents or close friends,” said Djomgoue, who grew up in Columbia, Maryland.
“However, to hear speakers such as Dr. Nathaniel Gadson and Douglas Oliver touch on the idea that everyone has the capacity to be great and act as powerful figure in the community, made me feel as though it is possible for me to do the same.”
Kumwenda, a biomedical engineering technology major, was partial to the range of interactive workshops. One session touched on different characteristics that are essential for a good leader. Another session stressed how social media exposes a multitude of cultures to an array of people.
“I appreciated the workshop that addressed the fact that the world has become a global village,” Kumwenda said. “Having access to the Internet and social media means information is at our fingertips, and we are exposed to a multitude of cultures. It is also incredibly easy for people to travel across the world and make connections, which is fantastic, but it also calls for a revamping of the educational system to allow for teachers and students alike to gain cultural sensitivity and awareness.”
The native of Africa, Kumwenda was particularly impressed by the workshop that emphasized being different.
“As people of color in a predominantly white society, college campuses, in particular, we often struggle to embrace the fact that we are different,” Kumwenda said. “Sometimes we fail to handle certain prejudices that are fueled by commonplace stereotypes. As an African student, I face the added pressure of coming from a culturally different background. This conference helped me realize that I am not alone, and it’s important to take things in strides; what might seem like an offensive comment might actually just be misplaced curiosity. It is important for us to teach our counterparts -- those who are willing to learn -- to shatter preconceived or misinformed ideas about minorities.”
Campus students will have another opportunity to network and learn from professionals at the PBCOHE’s 45th annual conference March 5-7 in Harrisburg.
For more information, contact Fisher at 724-334-6062 or arc1@psu.edu.
For more on PBCOHE, visit http://www.pbcohe.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1.