In late August, 14 Oconaluftee students were selected to participate in a Leadership
Training course offered by 甜瓜视频app鈥檚 College of Education and
Allied Professions. Classes were conducted by Amanda Chapman, Director of the Office
of Field Experiences and Jenny Stewart, Director of Student Success. OJCCCC鈥檚 Academic
Manager, Cindi Simmons and Residential Living Manager, Robin McCoy also participated.
Leadership Training was a four-day, 32-hour course based on career success standards.
Students learned about Building Foundations for Effective Leadership, Communication
and Relationship Building, Leading and Motivating Others and Ethical Leadership and
Decision Making. Jenny Stewart commented, 鈥淚t was an honor to get to work with OJCCCC
in this capacity. Clearly, they are preparing leaders for the future. It was important
to us to provide learning opportunities that were immediately relevant to the students.
We wanted this training to be something they could take back into their lives and
use.鈥
Forestry Student, Hannah Green, found Leadership Training to be an unexpectedly enriching
experience. 鈥淚 was unaware that there are so many different types of leadership styles.
An effective leader analyzes different situations and knows when to offer support
and to apply pressure.鈥 Participants were provided fidget toys. While Green found
this odd at first, she believes that, 鈥淒oing something with your hands made it easier
to listen to different points of view.鈥 Overall, Green feels that she, 鈥渓earned to
take a step back, that my opinion isn鈥檛 always the most important thing, and that
listening is a valuable leadership skill.鈥
WCU鈥檚 Jenny Stewart added, 鈥淚t was amazing to see them step even further into their
current leadership roles and take on new ones. We were so proud of their growth.鈥
OJCCCC鈥檚 Student Government President, Chase Hiatt, pointed out, 鈥淚t helped me realize
that self-awareness is important. You can鈥檛 begin to lead others if you are unwilling
to reflect on your own mistakes. You have to be willing to change yourself. True leadership
requires you to balance ego and humility. Leadership training applies to leading a
better life in general.鈥
OJCCCC Residential Manger, Robin McCoy, is excited about Leadership for Oconaluftee's
students, "Training sessions will be conducted quarterly. Groups will be comprised
of prospective leaders and those nearing graduation. We want to make sure that all
students attend before program completion. I really want to thank WCU for making this
happen. It was an incredible experience." All students receive a certificate of completion
from WCU. The next Student Leadership Training is scheduled for Nov. 27 & 29 and Dec.
4 & 6.