ADPi Gets InVOLved

A former student of the University of Tennessee challenged members of Alpha Delta Pi sorority to “find out what it really means to be a leader” in his presentation at a leadership workshop in the Panhellenic building Monday.

Jon Camp, a representative of the Center for Leadership Development, spoke to the group of sorority women about the importance of leadership skills and encouraged them to take advantage of UT’s many leadership opportunities.

“Great leaders aren’t born, they’re made,” Camp said. “Start developing these skills now by getting involved around campus.”

Camp discussed a number of upcoming leadership opportunities, but concentrated specifically on three available in the spring semester, Ignite Leaders, Emerging Leaders, and Leadership Guides.

Camp said all these activities have leadership as a primary focus and help students to form relationships throughout the university.

“Ignite Leaders are one of the first points of contact for many freshmen students,” Camp said.

He explained how these upper-classmen serve as guides and mentors to teams of freshmen who are interested in campus involvement by providing information about UT and the opportunities available to them.

Camp also discussed Emerging Leaders, a three credit-hour class taught every spring which studies the definition, development and application of leadership. Students learn the qualities of a good leader and how they can apply this to leadership positions on campus.

A former Leadership Guide himself, Camp said the group of students, who plan and present leadership programs to campus organizations was a “valuable peer-resource” that has already reached out to more than 1200 students this semester.

Camp added that through these activities students often have the chance to travel and meet with campus leaders from other universities. Past leadership retreats have included trips to the University of Maryland, University of Virginia and Ohio State.

“It’s really rewarding to have freshmen asking you questions or smiling at you when you walk by,” said Gina Martin, an ADPi member, of her experience as an Ignite team leader. “Plus, it doesn’t hurt to know the dean when it comes time for recommendation letters.”

Camp closed by urging members to participate in at least one other activity on campus besides ADPi.

“At UT, you get what you give,” he said. “Your experience here is what you make of it.”