Determined, passionate, and caring; those who know Lori Brooks would agree that she

brings these traits to every facet in her life. A prime example of when her passion was

displayed was last year when Lori was inspired by a documentary she saw during high

school. Determined to share it with others, Lori went to countless organizations and

administrators to bring the Human Experience to West Chester University.

―Without a doubt, my proudest leadership moment was sitting in Asplundh Concert

Hall with a full house during the first screening of The Human Experience.‖ The Feb-

ruary 2011 screenings of the Human Experience brought out thousands of students,

staff, and faculty to experience a documentary depicting the beauty of mankind and the

resilience of the human spirit.

With the aid of the WCU community, Lori brought not only two screenings of the film,

but the filmmakers for a Q&A after the screening. ―The event came together through

the collaboration of countless individuals in the WCU community, and being part of it

all was an incredible privilege,‖ says Lori.

Lori is an Amityville, New York native majoring in English and with minors in Spanish and Psychol-

ogy. Besides, juggling her classes and pushing for the Human Experience to come back to campus, Lori

pours herself into Aid to South Africa and University Ambassadors. That being said, Lori says the best

advice she ever received was to create balance in life. ―It's great to be passionate about your organiza-

tion or cause, but don't forget about the other areas of your life – such as your friends, family, studies,

and yourself – they also need and deserve attention.‖

Lori's inspiration comes from her seeing people doing what they love. ―There is passion to be found

inside each of us, and when we channel that passion, the potential results are remarkable.‖ Thanks to

Lori’s passions, she has left an incredible legacy at West Chester University.

Outstanding Student Spotlight: Lori Brooks

WE S T C H E S T E R

U N I V E R S I T Y Student Leadership S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 1

Office of Student Leadership & Involvement Welcome to the first issue of The Student Leadership & Involvement Newsletter for the 2011-2012 academic year.

This newsletter will showcase student organizations, student leaders, leadership programs, and much

Interested in Entrepreneurship? The WCU Entrepreneurs Fellows Program assists

aspiring entrepreneurs to successfully start a new

venture through coaching, mentoring, networking,

and entrepreneurship educational workshops. The

program is open to aspiring entrepreneurs from

across the university. The goal of the Entrepreneur-

ship Fellows program is to prepare students to strengthen and refine their entrepreneurial aspirations,

develop skills vital to their entrepreneurial success, expand their network, and more broadly position

the fellows for a successful career. The fellowship includes guest presentations, experiential learning

opportunities, and workshops focused on developing skills and techniques of successful entrepreneurs. For more information: Web Site: www.cottrellcenter.org Email: cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE-

Make your Life

Easier with

OrgSync pg. 2

Spotlight Staff

Member– Jackie

Hodes pg. 4

WCU Invades

the UK– pg. 3

Meet the New

LCs– pg. 4

P A G E 2

Make Your Life Easier with

OrgSync

OrgSync, the new online student organization management website, un-

veiled to student organizations this semester. Aside from emails threatening

loss of SGA recognition, many student organizations are wondering ―What

can OrgSync do for ME?‖ OrgSync offers solutions to the most common

problems that plague organizations here at WCU, including, creating a sustainable organization, plan-

ning and scheduling events, communication with members, and managing the organization and its

memberships.

How many of you have struggled with ―reinventing the wheel‖ every year because someone lost the

materials from last year? OrgSync has the capacity to store contact information from vendors and

partners; archive documents, pictures and videos; and store organization information to ease officer

transition. For those organizations who plan and execute great events this year, OrgSync offers tools

to advertise, track hours and attendance of members, share events on your Facebook© page, and send

out invitations.

If you are looking for improved avenues of communication OrgSync has your solution. OrgSync of-

fers mass text messaging for free (individual data rates apply), the ability to easily survey members

then export the results to excel, and the ability to target information to individual sets of members

quick and easily. Finally, if you are looking for easier management of the organization and its mem-

berships, use the delegation tool to empower your members while receiving notices when they have

accomplished the task. The roster tool provides quick and up to date information of your members so

you can contact them by email, text, or phone call.

The office of Student Leadership and Involvement will continue to pass on further advancements and

services offered through OrgSync as they are introduced. If you would like to receive more informa-

tion on using OrgSync, please attend an OrgSync Training Session or contact Ellen Howard at

EH672679@wcupa.edu. The sessions are held every Wednesday at 6:30pm in Sykes Student Union,

Room 257.

WCU Leadership & Involvement Highlights

For seasoned leaders around West Chester University, the S.A.I.L. program is an all too familiar way for them to develop and

grow as a leader. For new or unfamiliar students, the S.A.I.L. program is an excellent first step to getting involved and becoming a

leader. Through completion of the S.A.I.L. program—which requires attendance of 12 workshops, 1 leadership conference, 6 leadership

experiences and 20 community service hours—participants become certified student leaders. In comparison to years past, however, do

not expect these workshops to be another boring PowerPoint. The goal of the workshops this semester is interaction, through activities,

videos and much more! Make sure to check out the October SAIL program dates on page 4.

In an economic downfall, such as the one that we are in currently, every possible way to market you to potential employers and

graduates schools is necessary. Here at West Chester University there is no better way to do this than through a Co-Curricular Portfolio.

In addition to a resume, this free document outlines all of the activities a student has been involved in, as well as what the student has

accomplished as a member. Previously the creation of a Co-Curricular Portfolio seemed a bit laborious, but expect in coming months for

creation to be made easy through the use of OrgSync. More details will be available in the near future!

Another great leadership program offered specifically to the women of West Chester’s campus is Women’s Leading Up, which

kicked off its year on Friday, September 23rd. The goal Women’s Leading Up is to gather a group of students, faculty and staff to discuss

various issues that impact, shape and promote women’s leadership. The women of the seminars meet monthly, and this past month’s

program had a great session with guest speaker Fran Pierce, who is the owner of the consulting business ―TalkWorks, Inc.‖ In the pro-

gram the group participated in an intimate circle and allowing members to interact and learn about women’s leadership styles. The next

program is on Friday, October 21st!

Spotlight Staff Member: Jackie Hodes

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 1

Looking for something exciting to do over Spring Break? Well, look no further! The Center

for International Programs and the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement present

London: Spring Break 2012. Join fellow WCU students and staff members to see Eng-

land’s world-renowned capital come to life!

After your overnight flight to England, you will spend seven days discovering London on

guided tours of the city’s most famous landmarks. Make sure your camera is fully charged

for your visits to Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle, Piccadilly Circus, St.

Paul’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

At night, enjoy a theater performance in London’s prestigious West End and experience the

city’s vibrant night life and pub scene. Spend your two days of free time exploring 13th cen-

tury markets, elegant opera houses and tea shops, all while taking in the spectacular sights on the bustling streets of Covent

Garden, along the Millennium Bridge or high atop the London Eye.

In addition to the guided tours of London, you may choose to venture to the city’s outskirts for optional tours to Stone-

henge, Bath, and the 2012 Olympic Facilities.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information on London 2012, please contact Angela Howard at

AHoward@wcupa.edu

WCU Invading the UK!

Jackie Hodes, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Coordinator of

LGBTQA Services, has been a part of the West Chester University community for 25

years. To Jackie, after working here for 25 years, WCU has become like a family to

her. She stated that the nice part about working at WCU is that ―it is clear that ad-

ministration and faculty are committed to student’s success and we all have a com-

mon goal.‖

Jackie always puts the student’s needs before anything else, and continually strives to

stay informed about the current practices in higher education in order to benefit the

students. This past summer Jackie attended The HERS Institute two week seminar at Bryn Mawr College for women

leaders in higher education. At this institute Jackie was able to learn and gain different perspectives from women leaders

across the globe. This opportunity gave Jackie the chance to dig into leadership and to increase knowledge about topics

prevalent to higher education today. Jackie’s constant efforts to stay informed and educated on the current practices in the

field is one of the many reasons why she has become an individual on campus who students look up to.

As a veteran to the campus community Jackie serves as an advocate, mentor, and advisor to so many individuals around

the university. WCU student Spencer Wright stated, ―Jackie Hodes has always been an excellent advisor and mentor and

she makes herself consistently and constantly available, never hesitates to give constructive feedback, and also shows

concern and genuine interest in students personal lives as well! She truly gives the countless programs and entities she is

involved in her 100% effort, attention, and care!" Spencer is one out of the many students that look to Jackie for her spe-

cial insight and guidance.

As much as students look up to Jackie, she is equally as impressed with them. Jackie stated that the students at West

Chester University are ―fun, interesting, and diverse‖ and that students here are ―really grateful and want help from ad-

ministration.‖ Jackie feels that it is the day to day job of working with students in encouraging and motivating others that

makes a difference. She noted that having the opportunity to work with students from LGBTQA is such a privilege be-

cause this organization is ―based on who people are and it is always exciting and always different working with these

courageous students.‖

Thank you, Jackie, for being such a positive part of West Chester University and making a difference in the lives of so

many students!

ership Consultant she is the Presi-

dent of the Inter Greek Council

and a sister of Alpha Xi Delta.

Chase Kriza, is a third year Cell

and Molecular Biology major, the

President of the WCU Pre-

Medical Club, and the Scholar-

ship Chairman of the Pi Kappa

Phi Fraternity in addition to his

duties as Leadership Consultant.

His favorite leadership moment is

realizing he went from the person

seeking advice and help to the

person who gives it out. After

graduation Chase will be attend-

ing medical school.

Ali Soscia, a fourth year Econom-

ics and Psychology major, is a

Leadership Consultant, Desk As-

sistant in Schmidt Hall, a Peer

Mentor for Freshman Interest

Groups, among other organiza-

tions. Ali’s first leadership posi-

tion was an Assistant Programs

Coordinator of Ramsey Hall for

RHA. She is inspired by her fam-

ily and lets it show on a daily ba-

sis. After graduation Ali plans on

attending law school.

Tor Yasso, is a senior Business

Management major. In addition to

her role as a Leadership Consult-

ant, Tor spends even more time in

Ellen Howard, is a senior Com-

munications Studies major and is

the only returning Leadership

Consultant. She is interning with

the WCU Division of Student

Affairs Office of Student Leader-

ship & Involvement and is the

liaison for Greek life. After

graduation, Ellen plans on attend-

ing graduate school and working

toward a Masters in Higher Edu-

cation and Student Affairs.

Colleen McHugh, is a senior

Political Science – International

Relations major when she isn’t

working hard as a Leadership

Consultant. She is deeply in-

volved with Phi Sigma Pi Honor

Fraternity and enjoys community

service. Her favorite leadership

quote is: "Becoming a leader is

synonymous with becoming your-

self. That simple, that difficult." –

Warren Bennis

Yheralis Lantigua, is a junior

Political Science major and spe-

cializes in Social Equity and Di-

versity Organizations. She previ-

ously served on the Student Gov-

ernment Association.

Maile Sykes, is a senior studying

Special and Elementary Educa-

tion. In addition to being a Lead-

Sykes as a Student Director! She

is also a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha

Sorority. She says her biggest

accomplishment as a leader was

as a New Member Educator for

her sorority. ―Leading 24 young

women, daily, for eight straight

weeks was one of the biggest

growing experiences of my lead-

ership career.‖

Tim Chubb, a senior Economics

and Finance major is Leadership

Consultant and

Treasurer of the

Friars’ Society.

His late father

and his brothers

in the Friars’

inspire him.

Tim hopes to be

an Investment

Banker after

graduation. One

of his favorite quotes is: ―It takes

20 years to build a reputation and

five minutes to ruin it. If you

think about that, you'll do things

differently. – Warren Buffett

Meet the 2011-2012 Leadership Consultants!

Date Time Room Topic

Monday October 3rd 5-6pm Sykes 210 "My social Network" (Innovation)

Tuesday October 4th 1-2pm Sykes 210 "Icebreakers Without the Chill" (Communication)

Thursday October 13th 4-5pm Sykes 210 "S.M.A.R.T. Goals" (Innovation)

Friday October 14th 12-1pm Sykes 209

"Not Another PowerPoint! - Making presenting

fun" (Innovation)

Tuesday October 18th 4-5pm Allegheny Hall Theater "Crunch Time: How to Handle It" (Leadership)

Wednesday October 19th 1-2pm Sykes 210 "The Journey into Power & Greatness" (Leadership)

Friday October 21st 12-1pm Sykes 210 "Change Happens" (Leadership)

Monday October 24th 6-7pm Sykes 210

"From Good to Great: How little things Make a Differ-

ence (Innovation)

Monday October 31st 5-6pm Sykes 210 "Authentic Leadership in your community" (Leadership)

Upcoming SAIL Workshops!