Session Type: Interactive Roundtable Accepted by MIG(s): Time Allotted: 75 Description: Today’s generation of college students are technology driven and connected. How are leadership development programs and courses to compete with such distractions to keep students engaged and involved? Explore various tactics with this panel of students bringing insight to the ‘why’ of involvement for this generation of students. Abstract: Leadership educators today face a generation of college students that demand a stimulating academic environment. Students in this “millennial generation” are believed to be team oriented, confident, and optimistic, among other characteristics (Johnson, 2006). “Millennial generation” students are also accustomed to convenience, mobile technology, and an accessible social network; understanding this competition for students’ attention and desire for relevant information should motivate educators to create innovative and active classrooms (McGlynn, 2008). Every generation has notable events and characteristics that define their approach to life; for Generation Y, technology and its rapid pace of development define this generation of college students today. Although the relevance of leadership education to student’s lives will naturally attract a captive student audience, Nassif & Khalil (2006) express the need for creative approaches to meet the challenges of teaching students that may not have the life experience needed for true understanding of concepts or the need of such developed leadership skills.
With so many distractions just a click away, how are leadership development programs to engage these students? This session will explore leadership programs from the student perspective and strategies for engaging students amongst many competing demands. A student panel from the ILA Student Affinity Group will provide insight to what our generation of students seek out in a leadership program or class, what keeps us involved, and our motivation for enrolling in leadership programs or courses. Student panelists will share about specific leadership programs and courses, while offering tips and suggestions based on student feedback from our peers around the world. If you have ever wondered what students today are thinking, this session is a ‘must-attend’!
Natalie Coers, University of Georgia
Bio: Natalie is a graduate student at the University of Georgia, pursuing her Master's in Agricultural Leadership. She is currently serving as the Chair of the ILA Student Affinity Group, and enjoys working with others that share a passion for leadership education and development.
Yori Kamphuis, University of Twente
Bio: Yori Kamphuis, BSc student in Industrial Engineering and Management. University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. He plans on pursuing a masters' degree abroad next year, which allows him to focus on global, complex, societal problems the world is confronted with today.
Lauren Yanko, Marietta College
Bio: Lauren Yanko is a junior pursuing a major in Graphic Design and minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies at Marietta College. Hailing from Akron, Ohio, Lauren first became interested in leadership through her involvement in her high school's student council and Holy Cross Leadership programs. At Marietta, Lauren is a scholar at the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business.Naeem Moosa, University of Manchester
Bio: Naeem Moosa is an undergraduate student of English Language (BA Hons.) at the University of Manchester, UK. Young people are our next generation of leaders and we need to work with them from an early age to allow them to build on their capacity to be great leaders. Having myself been involved in student leadership whilst in High School, I believe that it is imperative we engage with local communities and allow adults and young people to work side by side to solve the challenges facing our local communities.Return to complete program |
