Leadership Scholar Program - Semester 4
Semester 4 of the Ithaca College Leadership Scholar Program was centered around establishing myself in the organizations that I'm a part of, as well as setting personal development goals (education and career). Through a new leadership role at my on-campus job and the experience gained from volunteer opportunities, I was able to interweave my present and future.
Experiences
On Campus Involvement
Park Portable Equipment Center and Services (PPECS)
In my second semester working at PPECS, the Park School's library for student equipment and technical services, I was promoted to a Pro Employee (among a group of only seven). Expanding on my role as a regular employee, PPECS Pro involves a much higher level of precision and decision making, as we are the flagship of the group. Leadership opportunities come in all shapes and forms for the Pro team, from leading orientation for new and returning employees, to conducting one-on-one equipment workshops on advanced gear for students in upper-level production courses. Daily management operations fall on the Pro staff employees, who guide the regular staff through completing orders and instructing patrons. As a Pro employee, I am also responsible for providing information to Park School tours for prospective students, answering questions and sharing information about life in Park. As a leadership scholar, PPECS provides a platform for me to grow and learn.
Open Mic Night
Spring '23 was one of grounding and self exploration, and the Open Mic Night organization certainly allows for this type of discovery! A safe space for performers of all styles and types, Open Mic is the epitome of a supportive group, always keeping their arms open for new and returning members. While I was not able to attend every weekly event, the group has established such a strong camaraderie that everyone is welcome to come and go as they please, without skipping a beat! As a leader, having the opportunity to share my love for music while practicing my performance and public speaking skills allows for a perfect balance of joy and self-work.
STUDENT PROJECTS & THESIS FILMS
While not technically a campus-sponsored organization, the Park School film program has established a quasi-traditional organization of people and groups who volunteer tremendous numbers of hours to work on each others' film projects. Infused with class and independent work, on any given weekend there may be 20+ student shoots happening. As a member of the PPECS Pro team, my expertise is highly regarded on set, so I usually have offers from dozens of people. It has been part of my leadership journey to learn how to manage my time and decline projects when I have too much on my plate! Regardless, this process is ongoing, as I took part in at least 8 projects over the course of the semester, requiring nearly 115+ hours of on-set time (per my best estimates and excluding pre-production work). It is an immense amount of time and effort, but it benefits my career and brings lots of leadership experience while directing crews of 10 - 20 people. Through these sets, I have built connections and relationships that will last far beyond my collegiate career!
Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival Ambassador
This semester I had the pleasure of participating in the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF), for its 26th annual festival! The experience was a conjunction between in-class lectures and a three-week out-of-class and off-campus experience at Cinemapolis and IC events. With a theme of polyphonies, FLEFF 2023 was the perfect event for leaders to grow and learn in an active community of artists and filmmakers. As an ambassador/intern, my role included assisting and attending 5+ festival events per week, providing input to panelists and visiting guests, and establishing a social media presence for the festival. The three weeks of the festival were filled with eye-opening, thought-provoking, and inspiring pieces of art that weave environmental issues and stunning images together.
Community Service
SERVICE SATURDAYS
For the third semester in a row, I was fortunate to be able to attend a Service Saturday event at Kendal at Ithaca, a local retirement community. Each semester, students can volunteer to assist the elderly residents with "Device Advice" and technology help! For someone who works as a professional technical services employee, this line of volunteer work aligns with my strengths. However, there are some significant challenges that I face in learning to slow down my explanations for those who are completely technologically illiterate. Most of the time, my services are minimal and the residents simply want to have someone to talk to (while they learn how to unlock their iPhone)! As such, it is very rewarding work because I get to connect with the community and provide my expertise.
SLI: Intersectionality
"Intersectionality," an SLI presented by a senior IDEAS Peer Educator, explained the teachings of black feminist scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, who first coined the term in 1989. The section allowed students to learn how various diverse groups are disenfranchised in intersectional ways -- meaning that levels of discrimination exist within all levels of a structural system. Specifically through this lens, students were able to apply the idea to situations in their own lives.
