Four TRIO and Phi Theta Kappa members from the Macomb Campus of Spoon River College attended the Spring Leadership Conference held at Western Illinois University on February 22. The annual one-day event aims to inspire campus leaders to connect with others and strengthen their leadership skills, and this year featured Chris Molina as the keynote speaker. SRC students attending were Jessica Fackrell, Matthew McDonald, Misty Peyer, and Samantha Sensor.
“There were so many things that I learned that will enhance my leadership skills going forward,” said Peyer, who plans to pursue a career in social work. “I really loved the theme, ‘Finding Your True North’ because I felt like we are all on own individual journey and finding out own unique path is vital to becoming the great leaders we aspire to be. He also advised not to let people that don’t uplift you hold power over your feelings or stifle your work ethic, which I can personally relate to.”
McDonald, who is already looking ahead to earning a PhD. with a goal of being a professor or filling an academic position at a museum, said he walked away with a better understanding of how to get things done, organize people, and set goals. “I can use the mindset and general tools I acquired in my future endeavors, most notably, grassroots organizing.”
During the first break-out session that Sensor attended, she said that Dr. Jamie Johnson stressed the importance of leaders as servants and that as a leader he wanted to see his team members names in light, not his own. “That sense of humility really left an impression on me, and his perspective helped me refine my definition of leadership. Going forward, I would like to carry with me the confidence in myself as a leader.” Although still unsure of her major, Sensor is interested in Psychology, Education, and English, and plans to transfer to WIU to continue her education.
Keynote speaker Chris Molina is an award-winning speaker and the best-selling author of I’m In a Leadership Role, Now What?