APU Online Learning Original

Student and Alumni Affairs Hosts the Second CLI Conference

By Janet Athanasiou
Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison

On October 13 and 14, the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs held its second annual Campus Leadership Institute (CLI) conference. Over 60 students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Office of Student and Alumni Affairs leaders attended this virtual event. Its aim was to encourage participants to connect with each other, expand their university network, learn from one another and have some fun.

The CLI Conference was also intended to broaden the perspectives of campus leaders. At the same time, it was designed to enhance their soft skill development, foster peer-to-peer relationships, and provide the opportunity to engage in online professional development.

To make the CLI focused on peer-to-peer learning and engagement, we encouraged the leaders and members of student organizations and the mentoring program to submit proposals and talk about highlights from their own leadership. We also solicited presentations from around the university community to share their expert tips for leadership.

Related link: Campus Leadership Roles Help with Developing Soft Skills

Events at the CLI Conference

The CLI Conference kicked off with a welcome from Amy Everson, the Director of Student and Alumni Affairs. Amy shared her own leadership story and reminded attendees that even the smallest actions could significantly impact others.

Breakout sessions during the CLI Conference included panel discussions featuring chapter advisors, organization presidents and mentors. There were also cross-organization discussions featuring members and advisors of different student organizations, including Phi Alpha Delta, the Model UN Club, the R.E.A.D. Book Club, the Jewish Student Association, Active Minds, and the Psychology Club. Additional sessions included topics such as confronting your inner critic, maximizing your campus leadership experience and participating in civil discourse.

All of the CLI conference sessions were recorded. For anyone wishing to see these recordings, they are available on the Student and Alumni Affairs YouTube channel.

Related link: Developing Workplace Skills through Student Organizations

Campus Leaders Are a Vital University Resource

Our campus leaders are a vital resource; they help our students find communities outside of the online classroom and networking opportunities. Participants in the campus leadership program can develop leadership, administrative, communication, and project management skills by serving as chapter officers, mentors, and social influencers. To join the campus leadership program and be invited to next year’s Campus Leadership Institute, submit a Campus Leader Registration form or contact studentaffairs@apus.edu for more information.

The 2021 Campus Leadership Institute conference was a huge success, and we’re already looking forward to the next one!

Janet Athanasiou is a Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison and has worked for the University since 2011, holding positions such as Academic Advisor, Senior Manager of Advising Schools, and Graduate Academic Advisor. Previously, she worked as a Residence Coordinator for the University of Alberta in Canada. Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in history from Dalhousie University, a master of education degree in counseling psychology from James Madison University, and a Ph.D. in higher education from George Mason University.

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