Student Services
Leadership Development
Students at large, as well as specific student groups, require assistance in charting their course – in developing their leadership potential. Workshops, conferences, and consultation offered by OTL are means to this end.
Student Leadership Positions
More than 70 leadership positions and/or internships are offered through the Office of Orientation, Transition and Leadership. With a small professional staff, the Office relies on student leaders to carry out and manage many aspects of Gateways Orientation, Weekend Workshops, Leadership Programs, and Voter Registration.
The Leadership Conference
The Leadership Conference, held at the end of the winter break before classes begin and open to all students, invites participants to explore, develop and articulate their personal leadership styles. This experience provides a forum for thoughtful consideration of leadership traits, beliefs and ideals. Dialogue helps broaden the definition of leadership and relates it to students’ everyday lives. Developing this kind of understanding prepares students for lifelong learning and success.
2009 Conference >>
Worcester Consortium Emerging Leader Conference
Cosponsored every February with the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, this conference held every February, targets the needs of emerging leaders, defined as first- or second-year students new to leadership roles. Topic areas change annually, but have included teambuilding, conflict resolution, delegation, ethical decision making and values based leadership.
Weekend Workshop on Leadership
Each spring, students from every class year attend the Weekend Workshop on Leadership, an overnight off campus workshop focused on “Heroic Leadership” and “Strengthsquest.” Presentations by students, faculty and administrators are followed by individual journaling time and peer-facilitated discussions.
Spring Training
This conference, cosponsored by the Student Programs and Involvement (SPI) Office, is for newly elected Recognized Student Organization (RSO) officers. The focus is “positional leadership”: what you need to know to make the most of your leadership position. Session content includes navigating your way at Holy Cross, decision making, delegation and motivation, how to run a meeting, planning an event from start to finish, and how to balance a budget.
Voter Registration and Education
Participating in dialogue about basic human questions, called for by the College’s Mission Statement, involves participating in the political process. OTL, in conjunction with the Student Government Association (SGA), encourages students 18 years of age and older to register and to vote. Visit the Voter Registration site for more information.
Consultation
The Director of Orientation, Transition and Leadership is also available for individual and group consultation. Whether students are discerning their next leadership position or planning a retreat for their organization, OTL has ideas and access to resources.