The Center for Leadship and Service is holding multiple workshops regarding makeups for student election board members who may have missed such workshops during the summer.

These workshops are mandatory for e-board members; however, they do offer some very important information regarding professional worth ethics/ topics for all students. On November 19, 2015, a workshop entitled “Motivating the Middle” was held in the involvement center of the Miron Student Center (MSC).

This workshop spoke about the importance of strengthening the “core” of a given group or organization. The core refers to the middle tier of workers. In all organizations, there are three layers; top, bottom, and middle. The top tier is a compilation of the best workers who take their roles seriously, and work hard to better their assembly as a whole rather than only thinking about their personal part. The bottom tier consists of the workers or group members who give the minimum required effort and slide by without contributing anything to the group/ organization as a whole. This workshop showcased ways to keep the middle tier inspired and focused without losing motivation.

Alexandre Desrivieries, senior music education major, spoke on how this workshop can benefit exponentially, “I have yet to attend these workshops; however it is clear to see just how they can lend assistance to becoming a future leader in any business field.” 

One of the ways described to keep the motivation high was to give a certain amount of responsibility to the middle tier. This allows recipients to gain a sensation of importance and worth to the group, as well as challenging them with a specific task.

Aleeyah Oliphant, sophomore education major and Kean University Involvement Specialist; in regards to the Motivating the Middle workshop, “As a leader in your group, you need to motivate a specific set of overlooked members. This workshop will help student leaders direct their efforts toward the middle and understand what they can contribute, which may solve an organization's most pressing leadership challenges.”

Oliphant also spoke on behalf of the significance these workshops encompass for those who seek to increase their overall professional attitude. She Stated, “These workshops are meant to enrich and give student group leaders the tools they need to succeed for the school year. However, by non-student group leaders attending them, they could also give them the tools to excel in college itself and to possible become student leaders and get involved at Kean.”

Other workshops offered by the CLS include but are not limited to, Event Planning & Event Management, Emotional Literacy and Effective Communication, Co-Curricular Transcripts and Walk, Talk, Look Like a Leader. As previously stated, these workshops are mandatory for e-board members, however all are open for any Kean University student to attend. These workshops cover basic professional ethics and can drastically help to improve work performance both now and in future career paths.  They also act as a means for skill building and help to shape an individual from an ordinary college student, to a leader.

Conner Granato, Senior, Psychology major, stated, “These workshops sound like a great idea and can definitely inspire someone to be more proficient.”

For more information on the CLS workshops and how to get involved, visit the involvement center in the Miron Student Center room 303.