How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
My friend Eric introduced me to the Commuter Activity Board. He suggested I come by and check it out. It’s a lot of fun! I usually don’t get involved in social activities on campus because I’m a shy person. I’d usually just hang out with my closest friends. Looking back, I wish I had joined the club sooner. For those still searching for their own social group, consider joining a few clubs to see which ones resonate with you the most. Each club offers its own unique vibe. Get involved on campus, and the experience you gain will last you a lifetime.

How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
In the past, I would simply follow someone else’s lead. However, when I became the president, everyone turned to me for guidance. As a result, I started speaking up and became a better person to lead my organization. I began talking to more people and actively listening to their opinions, which allowed me to grow as an individual.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
Not everything will go as planned, and you must listen to your followers for feedback on the event. Something always happens spontaneously, and you need to pay attention to the situation to fix the problem.

What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
Getting involved on campus has made me a better person today. It has made me more social and allowed me to meet other organizations on campus. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but that’s okay because it’s how you grow as a person.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
Get involved in an organization and actively contribute whenever possible. Engage in conversations with the other board members to demonstrate your interest in expanding your involvement within the organization. The valuable friendships and experiences you’ve gained from the organization will serve you well throughout your life.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
After graduating from Â鶹´«Ă˝, I plan to secure an Analysis position that will allow me to further develop the skills I’ve acquired during my time here.

The post Student Spotlight | Josh Gadway appeared first on Campus Life.

Kimberly-Ann Lang at CAB’s Trunk or Treat event.

How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their “people/place” on campus?
So funny story, I was very uninvolved when I first came to WSU. I am a commuter student so I would go to class and go home afterwards. When COVID hit I was more involved; I wish I did it sooner. The Commuter Activities Board (CAB) was the first club I joined. I barely went to the meetings in the beginning but went to them more frequently towards the end of my freshman year. I became the Treasurer and the rest is history. I would say that CAB led me to do more and explore different opportunities. Now, many say I am a bit too involved for my own good.

For those you have not found their people/place on campus, I would say not to worry. This thing takes time. If an introverted commuter can find her place on this campus you can too. I would say be proactive. Put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. I came from a school where I knew everyone for seven years before I came to college. I was very rusty when it came to finding my place again. Go to events like Club Kick Off or socials to help connect yourself with people. These events always have free stuff so why say no to free things and friends. On my laptop I have a sticker that says, “Your vibe attracts your tribe.” You will find your place and your people, you just need to go on an adventure.

How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
I am definitely more confident and vocal. I am an introverted person and saw myself as more of a follower than a leader. When I became a Treasurer, that’s when I started finding my voice and it led to more leadership opportunities. My confidence grew more as I led more. I learned from my mistakes as well as discovered what works for me as a leader. I also met many great people who helped me shape the type of leader that I am today! Leading takes time and practice. The more you do it, the better you become at it. Freshman me would barely recognize senior me.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
The biggest lesson I have learned from leadership is that there is no one way of leading. Even if you know your leadership style, you are constantly adjusting it to best fit the group you are leading. I’ve led many groups. While the foundation of how I lead remains the same throughout the groups, the way I lead changes based on the group I’m working with. Flexibility is always your bestie. A good leader learns and keeps learning. Biggest advice I would give to new leaders is to listen to your team. You can’t become better unless you get feedback. Feedback is not there to hurt you rather to make you better even if it hurts in the moment.

What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
It’s hard to say what my best experience has been at WSU. I’ve had so many to even count. I would say becoming a president of the Commuter Activities Board, creating a successful event from scratch with Presidential Student Ambassadors, and being part of a panel to help end hunger on college campuses have been top 3 experiences I’ve had at WSU. There are so many that I have not mentioned and there are still more to happen.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
The biggest advice I can give to those who are exploring the type of leader or person they want to become is don’t be afraid. Fear is one of the biggest things that hinders us from reaching our full potential. I have always been afraid to make mistakes. However, I quickly learned that making mistakes helps me learn and helps shape me into the person I want to be. Being out of your comfort zone is always scary but getting out of it will help you grow. Not everything you try will be a success, but it will always teach you something new.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
Being a senior means I have to start thinking about getting a big boi job. My plan is to graduate and pass my NCLEX. Then I plan to work as an ICU nurse somewhere around Massachusetts and eventually join the Navy Nurse Corps as an ICU nurse. After that, I plan to go back to school and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. During that time, I plan to travel anywhere my wallet will let me and volunteer around my community/hometown. But most importantly, I plan to live my best life, whatever that entails.

The post Student Spotlight | Kimberly-Ann Lang appeared first on Campus Life.

Club Name: Commuter Activities Board
Mission: To put on events that are catered to commuters, but are not commuter exclusive, and keep commuters involved on campus so they know they are a part of this group and this community.
Club Meeting Time:  Tuesdays at 4-5pm via Zoom
Contact information/Social Media:Ěý±őłŇ | Twitter | Email cab@worcester.edu

Why should students get involved with your organization?Julia Fitzpatrick (Vice President): It’s a good way to make friends especially in a time where a lot of people are not on campus because of covid. It’s a good way to improve your leadership skills and learn about event planning.

Eric Nguyen (Secretary): It’s a good chance to experience different things. CAB does different things than other clubs and a lot of people don’t know what it takes to plan events unless they try it out.

Kim Lang(Treasurer): Short and simple, because it’s fun!

Emily Hastings (President): We are also small, we are not a huge committee where no one really gets heard. Being so small makes it easy to hear out other people.

Kim: As someone who’s been in meetings with a lot of people where no one gets heard, you don’t get your opinion out there as easily as other people. In this club your voice gets heard. It’s a small community and that’s really helpful at times.

What types of events and/or programs do you do throughout the year?
Emily: We have our monthly CAB Breakfast, we have duck hunt which is always a huge success, we have commuter appreciation week we do every semester.

Eric: We do a lot of giveaways, we have given out kits during finals and midterm in the past.

Julie: We’ve done bingo! That was a pretty big event

Emily: We have gone to Boston and snow tubing. We try to do 2 trips a year.

How are your events changing with covid?
Emily: Many of our events are the same but they just went virtual. We will be running bingo virtually this year.

Eric: We still do quite a bit of in person events.

What has been one of the biggest successes of this organization?
Eric: I think it’s the vibe of the club. The Vibe doesn’t change and stays steady.

Emily: There are no problems, we don’t yell at each other. We throw out ideas and see what sticks.

What do you think your organization brings to the students at Worcester State?
Emily: Going back to our mission, a sense of community. I hope people feel like It’s their place even though they don’t live here (on campus).

Eric: Coffee? People look forward to our breakfasts when they skip their morning coffee. We also bring a relaxed chill environment to our meetings. There’s not really any pressure if you miss something or need to catch up.

Emily: Our office is in the (student center) living room and it’s a relaxed space. We are usually around, sometimes all of us are in the area chilling and talking.

What is something you all love about being on CAB’s Eboard?
Emily: I enjoy being the person that people can bring their ideas and concerns to. I like knowing if people say “can you make this thing happen here?” I can say “yeah I can” and come to CAB to try and make it happen.

Kim: I think for me I enjoy it because its something different. As someone in a major who’s submerged in the same thing every day, it’s something different in my day, I get to come to eboard and CAB meetings and plan fun things. I got to meet more people, without CAB I would not have met you guys (cab eboard) I mean there might be a chance but not likely. Honestly our vibe is dope, our last meeting was so fun and duck hunt was great.

Julia: One of the biggest takeaways for me being on this eboard was before I was very quiet, now I’m more comfortable giving my opinion on matters. I’ve also improved my organization skills and learned a lot about event planning which I didn’t have much experience in. Overall I love being a part of this group. It’s so welcoming.

Eric: I like that it gives me something to do outside of class. I usually go home, do homework, and go to bed and CAB has given me something more to do outside of school work. I like the fact that CAB is a presence on campus and we can plan events and change a person’s day.

How can interested students join CAB?
Email cab@worcester.edu reach out to join

How can students learn more about your programs and events?
Emily: We put posters on campus, on our Instagram and we have an active Twitter .

You can also read the stories from past CAB member on our blog.

The post Club Highlight | Commuter Activities Board appeared first on Campus Life.

Written by Jess Evora, Assistant Director, OSILD
Photos provided by WSU

Third-year student Faye Rhault is serving in her second year on the Executive Board of the Commuter Activities Board (CAB).  Last year, Faye was Vice President of CAB.  This year, she was elected President of the organization.  Faye also participates in and also previously worked as an (OSILD).  Faye acknowledges her involvement on campus for helping her get adjusted to college life, and she encourages her fellow Lancer’s to do the same.

1. How has your involvement with CAB impacted your experience here on campus?

Faye: “When I first came to Worcester State, I didn’t talk to anyone.  I didn’t think of myself as being a leader.  However, ever since then, there have been so many opportunities to allow me to do that. CAB allowed me to learn to work with other people.”

“I’ve never been comfortable with big groups of people.  However, I’ve become comfortable with expressing my own opinion, rather than just simply agreeing with other people.  Working for OSILD has helped me a lot with being able to assist others.  People come to me often to ask questions now.  It’s definitely helped me to grow as a person.  I used to be really shy, and now I’m anything but.  College definitely helps a lot with a lot.”

2. Can you share how your experience with CAB has influenced your feeling of connection to Worcester State?

Faye: “Being a part of the E-Board on CAB has allowed me to help other people who were in my position feel comfortable at school.  I know it’s hard as a commuter.  However, seeing events that I was interested in, and that were specifically for commuters made me realize that people were looking out for us.”

“Therefore, our goal for CAB this year is to make sure CAB grows.  We want everyone to be part of CAB!  We want to work more on promotion so people know who we are and know what we’re doing.”

3. What has been your most proud accomplishment as a Worcester State student? 

Faye: “I have to say that I’ve never done so well academically.  I’m so proud that I’m able to do so well in school and work and be a part of events and committees on campus.

“I think my time management has matured a lot since I started.  It’s weird how I can see myself growing up.  I’m finding my way through all my responsibilities, and I have a great group of friends to help me get through all that.  I feel like I have a great family here.”

The Commuter Activities Board (CAB) leaders (left to right): Doug, Emily, Andrew, Faye, & Katelyn

4. How would you describe your leadership style?

Faye: “I’m definitely a huge team player.  I like to make sure everyone gets through the finish line.  I like to make sure everyone is recognized.  I believe in promoting the underdog. When I’m in a leadership position, I also like to delegate to make sure everyone does their fair share.

“I don’t think one person should do the work while everyone is recognized.  I think it’s important to have a community-focus, verses the individual.  Even with CAB, I want to make sure people know everyone’s name in CAB, not just mine.”

“And last, when it comes to certain things, I like to make a divide between friendship and working relationships.  I think it’s important when in a leadership position to sometimes set aside the friendship to make sure work gets done.”

What words of encouragement do you have for your fellow Lancers?

Faye: “For other people who are looking to be a leader, but they haven’t shined through yet: Don’t be afraid of doing something you love, even if you’re a little scared. Don’t be intimidated by that. Just rock it out.”

Well-said Faye! Thank  you for all the work  you’ve put into CAB thus far! We’re looking forward to seeing what else CAB has in store for us this Spring. Good luck as you finish out your  year.

Sincerely,

The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development

The post Student Faye Rhault | Finding Her Community at WSU appeared first on Campus Life.