Dean’s Message
Promoting Student Engagement Through Leadership
I realize there are multiple definitions of leadership, indeed much has been written about this topic but it ultimately comes down to how you define it for yourself. Your definition of leadership is often influenced by your past experiences, by observing and modeling those who serve as role models or mentors, it’s influenced by the things you read and it is often shaped by your hopes for your tomorrow. Regardless of how you define leadership I want to challenge and encourage you, if you haven’t already done so, to begin the process of embracing into your identity the realization that you are a leader.
Most of you entered Cal Poly Pomona with varying degrees of leadership background, however, regardless of what you brought with you. I’m certain you’ll want to develop new skills, be exposed to different points of view, and hopefully you’ll want to be challenged to expand your notion of what it means to be a leader.
You have an incredible array of opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona to assist you in exploring what it means to be a leader in today’s society. I would like to suggest a few of these as you explore your own definition of leadership.
Consider involvement in one of the following:
- Attendance at leadership focused events, workshops, retreats, conferences, or enrolling in an academic leadership course.
Finally, take time to analyze the difference you are making around you by taking an inventory of what you’ve accomplished. Consider registering for the Co-Curricular Portfolio, which will document your involvement in order to make connections between “what you do” with “what you’re learning” so you can identify the skills and experiences that you’ll utilize after you graduate from Cal Poly Pomona.
Leadership is much more than identifying the top 10 qualities of a good leader or in finding a “cookie cutter” formula for success. It’s about searching your inner being to find that which moves you, that which brings a sense of purpose and meaning and that which motivates you to stay engaged in something that you deeply believe in. It’s about finding your voice and indeed giving voice to what really matters in your life. Feel free to contact the professional staff in the Dean of Students departments; we would be honored to assist you in exploring your definition of leadership and in suggesting a plan of action.
