Honors Retreat Team Leader 2011
Pictured on the left was the team I led during Honors Retreat. These students have grown to be among the best and brightest at UC.
Every year, the Honors Program offers the incoming freshmen a two day retreat to learn about our outstanding program. As current honors students, we have the opportunity to apply for the positions of: honors retreat team leaders and honors retreat coordinators. As a second year, I was selected for team leader.
Reflection
Setting ourselves on fire. That was the theme Retreat Team Leaders followed during our short stay at Camp Higher Ground and throughout our summer training sessions. As leaders, we met with Rich Robles, the director of University Honors, multiple times prior to the retreat. We learned ice breakers (Rich's favorite), we got to know each other, and we refreshed ourselves on the ins and outs of the honors program. These sessions ended up becoming much more, they made our group bond grow and inspired a deeper passion, at least for me, of the honors program.
Once we reached the site, we quickly got to work setting up West Harrison's Higher Ground center. Throwing up signs and making ourselves comfortable, we anxiously awaited our freshmen's arrival. Once divided into our groups, it was easy to see that there had been nothing to be worried about. My team, divided among Kolodzik Business Scholars and Linder Honors PLUS students, was full of energy and excitement. They had tons of questions and concerns, and were not shy to ask me. It felt great! The group trusted my opinion and wanted my insight. They fed off of my love for UC, and their anticipation for classes grew before my eyes. Before we had even started discussing the honors program, these students were talking about how 'pumped' they were to start getting involved.
We joined with other groups to finish ice breakers and start learning about the pillars that make our program unique. They interacted with each other, coordinators and team leaders to create a solid network foundation before setting foot on campus for their first class. It was such a rewarding experience to watch as these students went from confused and nervous to eager and passionate. It was even more rewarding to know that I was a part of that process.
Before we departed, we had one final simulation activity. Using a piece of yarn, we connected ourselves together. The thought process behind this? We are each others web. Problems, concerns, questions, or even a friend could be addressed and found within our web. We were each other's stepping stones once they set foot on campus. And let me tell you, they used it. I still see members of my team walking from one building to another together. I catch lunch with those who reach out when I can, and I reach out to others just to check in. This group expanded my bounds of leadership far beyond the event. Even today, I received a text about scheduling questions from one of my team members.
This opportunity went from being a 'team leader' to becoming a permanent mentor and friend. It's a unique chance to be a peer mentor, and it's one that can't be taken lightly, but if you put in the work and take the time, you get ten fold out of it.
Once we reached the site, we quickly got to work setting up West Harrison's Higher Ground center. Throwing up signs and making ourselves comfortable, we anxiously awaited our freshmen's arrival. Once divided into our groups, it was easy to see that there had been nothing to be worried about. My team, divided among Kolodzik Business Scholars and Linder Honors PLUS students, was full of energy and excitement. They had tons of questions and concerns, and were not shy to ask me. It felt great! The group trusted my opinion and wanted my insight. They fed off of my love for UC, and their anticipation for classes grew before my eyes. Before we had even started discussing the honors program, these students were talking about how 'pumped' they were to start getting involved.
We joined with other groups to finish ice breakers and start learning about the pillars that make our program unique. They interacted with each other, coordinators and team leaders to create a solid network foundation before setting foot on campus for their first class. It was such a rewarding experience to watch as these students went from confused and nervous to eager and passionate. It was even more rewarding to know that I was a part of that process.
Before we departed, we had one final simulation activity. Using a piece of yarn, we connected ourselves together. The thought process behind this? We are each others web. Problems, concerns, questions, or even a friend could be addressed and found within our web. We were each other's stepping stones once they set foot on campus. And let me tell you, they used it. I still see members of my team walking from one building to another together. I catch lunch with those who reach out when I can, and I reach out to others just to check in. This group expanded my bounds of leadership far beyond the event. Even today, I received a text about scheduling questions from one of my team members.
This opportunity went from being a 'team leader' to becoming a permanent mentor and friend. It's a unique chance to be a peer mentor, and it's one that can't be taken lightly, but if you put in the work and take the time, you get ten fold out of it.