Student representatives from campus groups attended Leadership 101, an event cohosted by the Student Alumni Association and the undergraduate student government on Saturday at the James West Alumni Center.
Organizers said Leadership 101, the first collaboration between SAA and the internal vice president’s office, was meant to help student organizations in areas such as leadership, group management, marketing and internal morale.
The main purpose of the workshops held during the event was to assist less-established student groups on campus learn how to be more effective and successful, said Jesse Rogel, co-chief of staff of the internal vice president’s office.
Liang Wang, executive director of outreach for SAA, said his organization had never cohosted such an event with the Undergraduate Students Association Council but saw the opportunity to collaborate during fall quarter.
“USAC has a lot of knowledge of student groups, while SAA already enforces great traditions,” Wang said. “Why not combine two great things?”
Internal Vice President Dianne Tanjuaquio said she wondered why the two major campus organizations had not programmed together sooner.
“Both (SAA and USAC) have been wildly successful but haven’t really interacted much,” Tanjuaquio said. “We wanted to bring all our experience together.”
David Stokes, adviser for the SAA outreach committee, said the association focuses on leadership development within its organization and holds similar leadership and networking events for all students.
Wang said Leadership 101 stood out from other events because the advice given by experienced students aided other fledgling leaders on campus.
“I liked seeing the (presenter’s) leadership skills put to use,” Wang said. “The turnout was also good for an event for its kind.”
SAA and USAC student volunteers held 30-minute workshops ranging in topics from corporate sponsorship to public speaking.
Jamie Lu, a board member of Bruin Consulting, said she found the workshop on leadership styles valuable because the presentation helped her realize what kind of a leader she is and how she interacts with people.
“I came here to develop leadership skills,” Lu said. “Now I know what I can do with my qualities.”
Sehra Kaushal, a member of the Latin American Student Association, said she has never been a good public speaker and benefited from a workshop in which she learned presentation techniques to use in her future career.
“I learned about walking transitions and meaningful hand gestures,” Kaushal said.
Johana Fiserova, a member of SAA, presented an internal structure workshop on how to promote morale within an organization.
Fiserova, who will be next year’s executive director of outreach, said Leadership 101 could become an annual event.
“I think (Leadership 101) is a good start. It definitely has the potential to grow,” Fiserova said.