Siena provides many opportunities for leadership. The multitude of clubs that are available to join on campus are just the starting point. The classes at Siena, different organizations, and the various academic programs also offer many ways to become a leader. Siena produces not only strong leaders, but strong servant leaders who lead with others and create inclusive and expanding environments. Leaders emerge from clubs, organizations, as well as in class and through other avenues.
One of the best things, in my opinion, about Siena is that the clubs and organizations I have encountered are always welcoming and open to new members. When I came in as a freshman, I had very little interest in being a leader. I wasn’t a leader in high school and I didn’t see this changing in college. I felt that I would be content to follow and minimally participate. I joined several clubs at the club fair, but had no other interest in being anything but a member who showed up to meetings and listened. The clubs I joined welcomed me and were fine with me quietly sitting in.
However, when I did occasionally speak up, my comments were thoughtfully and enthusiastically considered. Eventually, I started speaking up more and more, and before I knew it I was contributing often to clubs and organizations, as well as volunteering to take on responsibilities I wouldn’t even have considered at the beginning of the year. I also became more vocal and engaged in class, leading to better learning, as well as leading. Because of my contributions throughout my freshman year both in class and the community, at the end of that school year, I was offered some great opportunities. I now hold several leadership positions within the campus community.
There are two groups of people who have helped me to grow my leadership style here at Siena. The first group contains my peers. My peers have been so supportive of me, in a variety of different contexts. The student leaders I engaged with as a freshman were welcoming, kind, and open to new ideas. Each leader I met led their respective club or organization in an organized, inclusive, and gracious manner. They directed their clubs with a sense of purpose and strove to emulate servant leadership. As a first semester freshman, I was in awe of these students and never thought I would reach their level of engagement. I regarded them as higher-ups. However, they never acted like they were above anyone else because of their positions. Over the course of the year, I realized that, although amazing, these students were still regular college students. They were passionate about their club topics and serving the community in some way, which I found we shared. Now I engage with many of these same leaders as a friend and a peer, which I have learned that I always was.
My professors at Siena have also helped foster my leadership style by encouraging thoughtful and constructive discussion in class. In the beginning of freshman year, I was very uncomfortable speaking up in class. I was afraid my answer would be wrong, thought of as stupid, and judged by my professors, as well as my peers. I quickly learned that this was not the case. Siena creates a learning environment where everyone is given a chance to speak their voice in class. While you may be wrong and even judged at times, this helps to strengthen both your argumentative and leadership skills. A good leader can admit when they are wrong and can turn judgment into constructive criticism, which many of my classes helped me to do. Speaking up also helped my leadership style in many obvious ways, not the least of which is being able to command attention and respect when needed.
This growth was allowed because of both the style and size of the classes. I truly believe that small class sizes with open discussion is one of the best aspects of Siena. It allows students to grow as scholars, thinkers, and as people. The classes I have taken at Siena, especially the seminar-style ones, have helped me to find my voice, both in person and in writing. I can now better articulate my opinions and positions because of the learning environment open discussion allows. I am not afraid to speak up in class. This style has helped me, and many of my peers, grow both academically and personally. Furthermore, it has helped my leadership.
Additionally, the professors at Siena are available to students in ways that large universities could not be. I have gone to many office hours and have only grown from my interactions with professors. Some have taken on a mentoring role, of which I could not be more appreciative. They have advised me in not only academic matters, but also to reach for my newfound leadership goals. As a result of these relationships with professors and my sharing of my club and organization work, I have been recommended for several leadership opportunities. Their confidence in me to perform well and represent different interests has given me the confidence to continue my leadership path.
While being a leader can be hard at times, I am immensely glad I have taken on the roles I have. I could not have become the leader and person I am today without the support and structure that Siena provides through its students, faculty, and organizations. Each role I occupy, and all of the positions available at Siena, is full of opportunities to develop professionally, grow personally, and to give back to the community in some way. The best part of leadership, especially the servant leadership emphasized at Siena, is seeing the impact of the work you and others do.