Change in leadership is often difficult at first for a collective group; the task can prove even more frustrating for the fresh and eager leader trying to carry the group forth. That eagerness, fortunately, is often the foundation in which a leader utilizes to succeed. As the first month of the new semester passes, change amongst student funded group leaders has taken place and the ambition is ever so present. As official budgets for funded groups are now in the process of distribution, fliers will grow in number, demanding the participation of the student body. Student involvement comes as one of the chief concerns for these new leaders. Juan Lopez, a senior computer science major, is the new president to A.L.A.S. - the Association for Latin American Students. Lopez counters this concern by relying on his three year involvement with the group and veteran leadership experience that expands from other groups to his fraternity's executive board. While some group's membership, such as A.L.A.S., has gradually decreased over time, other groups must struggle this school year to re-establish themselves after an extended absence.

Abibat Balogun, sophomore biology major, faces the challenge of reviving her group, R.S.A. - the Resident Student Association after a two year hiatus. Despite the set-back Balogun believes that with proper planning, she and her team will enable the group to come back strong and make an impression. Rusty Flores, a freshman theater major and new president to the Parenthetical Club, faces the obstacle of managing a group that throughout the years has been in an on-and-off activation, making member retention limited to a small number at best. The Parenthetical Club is a group that encourages young writers to interact with writers and poets by use of their own written devices. To accomplish such networking, Flores aims make a name for the group that will be recognizable and hold ground in its presence.

"What I want to do with this club is take it out of the dark and show the school that there is a place where people can just go and have a great time [with] friends and new people," says Flores.

While all of the new presidents will shoot to open new doors for their groups, others will start their new positions with a strong student-supported foundation under their belt. The University Activities Board, led by new president Mercedes Burns, a senior double major in early childhood education and psychology, is known for its annual events that successfully gather masses of the student body. The group hosts the fall semester's "Cafe' La Give Away" and the spring semester's fashion show and step show. Yet, even with an established name, Burns enters her presidency with the ambition for fresh faces. Burns asserts, "In order to do new events, we need new ideas, new attitudes from the students willing to engage."

Another leader who brings experience to their new position is Haitian Student Association president Stephanie Saint-Fleur, a senior communications major with marketing minor. After four years of solid involvement with the group, the new president says she has no worries about involvement as the group is motivated by a dedicated general body and alumni support that spans 22 years. Saint-Fleur's group is one among several cultural groups on campus. Others are junior bilingual education and biology major Cynthia Sousa's group P.A.C.K. - Portuguese American Club at Kean that produces the cultural event, "A Taste of Portugal"; senior marketing major Badal Shah's group, the Association of Indian Students which currently is looking into hosting a cultural dance called "Garba"; the Jewish Culture Club led by returning member Joshua Weitz, a junior psychology - pre-therapy option major, who has already programmed the group's first big event of the semester, "Pizza in the Sukkah" with plans to similar successful events; and Temitope Ola's group A.S.A. - African Student Association which prides themselves on the motto, "54 countries, but 1 family" and plans on hosting several cultural events including African Love Connection, and their annual African Awareness Night. All of these leaders have requested to inform the student body that while a certain cultural groups may focus on a concentrated culture, their doors are open to any prospective student with any background.

That same acceptance extends to groups even outside of cultural focus. Kean Dance Theater president, Jahir Calderon, a junior finance major, seeks to find members to join his group despite any lack of experience in dance that a student might have. Further, Calderon's group looks to host the event known as "Student Showcase" where all "student choreographers can show their own dance pieces and show-off their creative minds."

It is crucial to remember that despite the entertainment and social networking that these group's presidents intend to provide the student body, they are still fundamentally leaders with an ideology of professionalism and education. As former secretary and current president of the student chapter of the AMS/NWA - American Meteorological Society and National Weather Service Association, Amy Wuestenberg, a senior meteorology major, finds this balance of "fun stuff" and professionalism as a challenge in itself, but sees the opportunity to broaden the focus of the group as means of getting students more engaged. Students involving themselves in any of these groups may utilize them in developing both their co-curricular transcripts and their post-college resumes.

As the new leaders embrace the hardships and leverages of their terms, they will help shape what the 2009-2010 school year brings to campus. They encourage all students to attend the group's meetings that will help organize the community services and events that will take place. Students looking to enhance their Kean University experience and build bonds should look into the funded groups and become associated with the new presidents pledged to govern them. These leaders are looking to welcome, to be challenged, to be supported, and to make their reign a memorable one.

To find out more information on any group mentioned or others, please visit the office of the Center for Leadership and Service located in the University Center room 219. Congratulations to all of the new presidents of the Student Organization funded groups and good luck with the year.