On Feb. 19, Saint Xavier University will host its 2022 Synergy Leadership Summit, sponsored by the Student Success Organization.
The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on a Saturday and located at Saint Xavier, requiring all current X-Factor student leaders to attend.
As stated on the SXU Den, “The Synergy Leadership Summit is an annual student-led leadership conference with educational sessions, student-led panels, engaging activities, and service projects to help students understand various aspects of leadership and work to become diverse, inclusive and innovative leaders.”
In an interview conducted via email on Nov. 16, Joshua R. Bogaski-Baugh, the Executive Director of Student Success found that “Participating in this conference helps students develop leadership skills and further explore and understand their leadership identity, which is attractive in a job search.”
The purpose of the event, in his view, is to “provide high-level leadership training and professional development opportunities to student leaders, encourage student leader ownership of the campus and ways to promote campus vitality, engage and reinvigorate student leaders after the semester break, and promote collaboration among student leaders.”
Bogaski-Baugh, who is one of the primary organizers of the event, continued: “This event is three-pronged; it helps students further develop their leadership identities and reinvigorates our campus leaders through motivational sessions and team-building exercises.”
“Additionally, this event builds students’ confidence to explore new opportunities and find means to continually grow personally and professionally,” he said.
Based on a preliminary schedule given by courtesy of Bogaski-Baugh, the event will begin with a breakfast and morning mingle.
Next, there will be Welcome messages and announcements, following a keynote speaker presentation that has yet to be revealed. Bougaski-Baugh had slightly hinted at some ideas for this year’s keynote address, giving people a sneak peek of what to expect.
“The Center for SUCCESS along with myself have discussed potential presentation topics but are still finalizing plans for these,” noted Bougaski-Baugh, adding, “We would like to bring Diversibeads back because it was so successful.”
“We had wonderful students conduct this session in previous years, and we think it would be great to bring this back to help students further understand their identities and privileges and how these intersect with leadership identity,” he further explained in his email interview.
Later, students are to look forward to being a part of the Leadership Panel, and go into two different Breakout Educational Sessions for the remainder of the day. In between both of the educational sessions, the conference will hold a poster session.
Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., the SXU president, is planning to speak on behalf of the Student Success Department, wrapping up the event with her final remarks.
On another note, Bougaski-Baugh mentioned a few words of advice for students who might think it is too late to consider being a leader and representing SXU.
”There are three keys to unlock the door of a successful job search after graduation,” Bougaski-Baugh said. “Those keys are 1) education and knowledge, 2) skills, and 3) experience.”
He continued: “I would recommend that individuals try to find experiences as soon as possible so that they can begin to develop valuable transferable skills,” also saying, “If someone is close to graduating and cannot take on an X-Factor position, they could always consider an internship, micro-internship, volunteer work, or an externship to gain experience and develop skills.”
“In short, it is always best to gain experience as soon as possible,” Bougaski-Baugh added.
A call for proposals went out to all students, faculty and staff since early October, to come and join them for the Synergy Leadership Summit. To register, campus community members are asked to RSVP to the event on The Den.
Students participating in the Cougars LEAD Leadership Certificate program must attend this leadership development conference at least once during their time at the university.
Those who are present will receive additional leadership credit toward their Leadership Certificate. Free food will also be provided.Others who have additional questions, comments or concerns are to contact Bogaski-Baugh at bogaskibaugh@sxu.edu.
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