The Women’s Institute for Leadership and Learning (WILL) hosted its annual event in Dauphin Humanities Center (DHC) last Friday.

Stephanie Erdice, director of the Shippensburg University Women’s Center, explained that the conference was created by a combination of the Women’s Center and women’s and gender studies staff and faculty. They saw that students were being challenged with different leadership skills and, as a team, these faculty members decided to come up with a way to provide guides to aide students with learning how to be a leader.

Prior to the day of the event, students who chose to participate filled out a paper selecting which workshops would be of interest. Participants registered their name sand emails at a table holding folders with an itinerary, guiding students to each session they chose.

Students then walked to a room they chose and gathered for the opening of the event.

Some students grabbed their notebooks or a piece of paper to jot down notes as speakers shared their thoughts on teamwork, leadership and communication skills.

Most of the workshops had several activities that were designed to help students learn how to work with others.

Erdice also mentioned that one of the reasons the conference is held toward the end of the fall semester is to give students interested in club leadership insight on how to communicate their voice and how to go about serving in that position.

Sam Frushour, SU graduate intern for the Women’s Center, is the overall coordinator for the WILL conference, under the supervision of Erdice.

During the first workshop, not only were the students having an experience, but so were the team members who helped to facilitate the program.

“Participants have been very ready and willing. [They] have a strong want to challenge their skill set and strengthen their skill set,” Frushour said.

After the first workshop, participants gathered in the fishbowl on the first floor in DHC to enjoy some dessert and refreshments and have the opportunity to talk with one another.

“This event is a great way to empower” all genders, senior Crystal Boust said.

This annual institute has been taking place for the past five years. According to Erdice, the outcome of Friday’s event was very good, but can always improve. One thing that she hopes that students take from this experience is to gain solid ideas to help improve leadership.

The Women’s Center will be hosting two more workshops later in the school year and will include guest speakers. For more information on WILL visit www.ship.edu/womens_center.

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