Leadership Retreat Inspires New Generation of Student Leaders

For the second year in a row, the Student Association at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) sponsored a special retreat for student leaders. Titled Lead, Learn, Succeed, the one-week retreat was designed to equip both new and continuing student leaders with the essential skills needed to thrive in their roles.  

Reshma Jaigobin, student development and leadership coordinator at CUNY SPS, organized the Lead, Learn, Succeed retreat by focusing on specific input and directives given by students who attended in 2023. In response to the student recommendations, the retreat was streamlined into a four-session series. Since a majority of students expressed the desire to build communication skills, each workshop highlighted a different aspect of effective interchange: “Collaborative Connections: Building Strong Teams,” “Visionary Goals,” “Converse & Connect,” and “Cultural Humility in Leadership.

Strategically scheduled just before the start of the Fall 2024 semester, the workshops showcased the instructional skills of CUNY SPS alum Dahlia Ramsay (MA Applied Theatre ‘19).

When leading her workshops, Ramsay maximized her experience in improvisational performance to help impart the art of listening to students. “The main thing that makes my workshops different is the basis of theater as both a tool and a foundation on which to build practical, professional skills,” Ramsay shared. “This means that I don’t just want token participation… In a short period of time, I want to have people working together, laughing together.”

Talia Gurstel, who works at NYU, taught the "Visionary Goals" workshop.

The students in attendance responded enthusiastically to Ramsay’s interactive programming. Kimberly Sparkes (BA Sociology ‘25), who serves in multiple leadership roles while working at CUNY SPS as first-year student orientation mentor, explained, “We had fun and [the improv activities] got me out of my comfort zone.”  Sparkes further detailed, “I will be able to use these skills in academia as a student leader and work life… like more active listening, being mindful of differences in cultures, and ‘if you don’t know, it's okay to ask.’”

BPS Applied Management & Entrepreneurship student and Urban Male Scholar (UMS) peer mentor Acharo Smith (‘25) also found the program's content helpful. “The sessions on ‘Cultural Humility in Leadership’ and ‘Converse & Connect: Discovering and Enhancing Communication Styles’ particularly resonated with me,” said Smith. “I intend to integrate the lessons from the retreat into various aspects of my life, whether social, professional, or academic.”

Like the other seminar attendees, Komal Mehmood (BA Psychology ‘25), who is also pursuing a minor in Business, has multiple leadership roles. Mehmood expressed her motivation for attending the retreat. “I was eager to develop public speaking and team-building skills. These are crucial for effectively managing diverse teams, which is something I’m passionate about mastering,” she said. “Dahlia Ramsay specifically helped build my confidence in public speaking. Through her prompts and improvisation exercises, I learned to speak up more confidently in a public setting.”

Reflecting back on the retreat, Jaigobin noted, “The presenters brought their own unique approaches, and we hope that their diverse techniques resonated with our students," they said. "Our goal was for the experience to be transformative, equipping student leaders with the skills to make a lasting impact in their individual roles, as a cohesive group, and within the communities they serve.”

For more information on student clubs and student leadership opportunities, please contact the Office of Student Life.

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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Prerna Dar
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