Student Organization Academy
This year's Student Organization Academy was held be on Sunday, September 8th from 10:30am-4pm.
This one-day conference served to offer club leaders a comprehensive and tailored training for their role ahead. We brought in experts from around the University and beyond to offer tools to navigate policies and procedures and direction to make organizations more successful.
This event was mandatory for student organization Presidents and Treasurers - early departures did not count toward attendance for the day. Brunch was provided.
2024 SPEAKERS
Welcome: Dr. Leah Busam Klenowski
Senior Director for Student Affairs
Dan Link
Senior Director of Talent at Seneca Holdings
Keynote Topic: TRANSLATING YOUR CLUB TO YOUR CAREER
This interactive and large group session kicks-off the Org Academy as you reflect on what your leadership experience now means for your future career prospects. Hear from local leader and Class of 2008 alumnus Dan Link on how his time as an officer with the Management/Human Resources Student Professional Society played a pivotal role in his development. Then, with support from The Career Development Office, explore skills you may wish to add to your own resumé!
2024 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
Educational Block 1: Organizing your Organization
12:00 pm -12:55 pm
12:00 PM - 12:55 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Treasurer? This session is for you! Finance 101 talks through all important details about funding – how to access it, ways to spend, and more! Come learn more about the world of student organization finances and the most up-to-date policies with Jill.
Jill Finch (she/her), Student Involvement Coordinator
RESERVING & USING SPACES EFFECTIVELY
12:00 PM - 12:25 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
Join Derek, the GSC Assistant Director, as he walks you through how to reserve spaces quickly and efficiently, as well as using the right space effectively. Save yourself time in your meetings and events by learning more about how space works on our campus.
Derek Goeglein (he/him), Assistant Director, Gallagher Student Center
12:00 PM - 12:25 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
As student groups continue to travel more regularly, learn how to plan for travel and also what additional funds could be available to support new ideas and opportunities!
Dustin Lewis (he/him), Senior Associate Director for Student Involvement
12:30 PM - 12:55 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
The event form in EngageXU can be confusing and have a lot of pieces to it. If you are likely going to be planning some of your organization’s events this year, then this is the session for you! Ray will show officers that attend how to quickly and efficiently create events and also how to use some of the great features in EngageXU that you probably haven’t tried before.
Ray Flannery (he/him), Assistant Director for Student Organizations
12:30 PM - 12:55 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Planning on ordering some kind of apparel (shirts, sweatshirts) or branded material (giveaways with your logo on them)? Learn how the process works and understand how to navigate the university business with brand, licensing and apparel to make the whole process smooth and easy on you as a group.
Dustin Lewis (he/him), Senior Associate Director for Student Involvement
Educational Block 2: Building Belonging & Inclusivity
1:00 pm -1:55 pm
1:00 PM - 1:25 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
Membership recruitment is vital to sustaining and growing your organization. It’s more than just setting up a table on The Yard or waiting for new members to magically join on EngageXU. Learn how you can successfully and actively recruit members to join your organization in this session.
Derek Goeglein (he/him), Assistant Director, Gallagher Student Center
INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE EVENT PLANNING
1:00 PM - 1:55 PM | Conference Room 3
Does your club spend time considering your activities and whether or not they are welcoming and inclusive to all people? Do you book meeting spaces that are accessible for all students and do you consider what graphics and images you include when promoting yourselves or a program? Explore how your organization can make programs, events, and even meetings that are more inclusive for all.
Alecia Conway (she/her), Assistant Director for Student Activities
EXPLORING IDENTITIES & INTERSECTIONALITY AMONG GROUP MEMBERS
1:00 PM - 1:25 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Come learn about how you can promote a culture of inclusion in your organization. This session will delve into how your group may represent many shared or different identities and what this means for your development and role on campus.
Samuel Terry (he/him), Center for Diversity & Inclusion Director
Diamond Brown (she/her), Center for Diversity & Inclusion Assistant Director
Tamara Serrano-Chandler (she/her), Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Collaboration is more than just asking another group or an office for money. Authentic collaboration is when groups build a partnership with equitable interests and responsibilities toward the event or program. Learn more about how you can be a better collaborator with others in this session.
Dr. Leah Busam Klenowski (she/her), Senior Director for Student Affairs
USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO TELL YOUR STORY
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Social media is bigger than just scrolling on TikTok for hours. It’s a way to communicate who you are, what you’re all about, to have a voice to a larger audience on and off campus. But as an organization, you have to work to find your voice and tell your story. Learn how in this session!
Maitté Delgado (she/her), Social Media Manager for OSI
Educational Block 3: Increasing Your Org's Impact
2:00 pm -2:55 pm
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Your organization has funding, so now what do you do with it? The budget that was proposed last spring does not mean that is the only way you’re allowed to spend this year! This session will talk through the basics of developing a budget and how to implement it so that your group can maximize resources throughout the year.
Dr. Leah Busam Klenowski (she/her), Senior Director for Student Affairs
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
After you recruit new members, now what do you do with them? Retaining members is an important function of student organization officers – finding ways to build relationships and engage students so they keep coming back and find value in what you do. Learn more about membership retention in this session.
Rose Walton (she/her), Assistant Director for New Student Programs
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM | Conference Room 3
After you’re finished with an event, do you ever evaluate the program? It can be incredible valuable to discuss what went well and what you’d change if you did it again. And not only discuss, but write it down – document it – for next year’s leadership. Learn more from Sophie in this session!
Sophie Roepke (she/her), Associate Director, Leadership & Transition Programs
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
EngageXU has a lot of features you’re not even using yet. Learn about some of the neat and hidden (or not so well-known) ways to get the most out of your EngageXU experience.
Dustin Lewis (he/him), Senior Associate Director for Student Involvement
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Not enough in your fund to make all the ideas happen this year? Learn more about how fundraising works and also some helpful ideas on how your organization can increase your funds to meet your goals.
Jill Finch (she/her), Student Involvement Coordinator
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
When you aim for nothing, you’re sure to hit it. Setting goals as an organization is a great way to ensure a strong future and to have a plan or a target with how you invest your time, energy and resources as an organization this year. Learn more about how to build meaningful organization goals in this session.
Dr. Erika Jay (she/her), Assistant Director for Commuter and Off-Campus Living
BRAND BUILDING: HOW DO YOUR MEMBERS REPRESENT YOUR ORG?
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM | Conference Room 3
How do you want your club to be seen by the student body? Do your club members have a sense of pride in what your organization stands for? What should student leaders avoid when communicating about their club? These topics are all up for discussion in this session.
Alecia Conway (she/her), Assistant Director for Student Activities
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Part of the Jesuit motto is being people for and with others and meeting Baseline expectations means incorporating service. Learn more about the benefits and value to your organization and its members by incorporating service opportunities for you to be in service to others. It’s easy to get started and can be a lot of fun and bonding for your club as well as beneficial to the community.
Rose Walton (she/her), Assistant Director for New Student Programs
Educational Block 4: Helping YOU Help Your Org
3:00 pm -4:00 pm
3:00 PM - 3:25 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Every event has a certain amount of risk involved and an emergency could happen any time - even in a meeting. Are you prepared? Learn more about how to manage your risks and also about emergency response best practices in this session.
Ray Flannery (he/him), Assistant Director for Student Organizations
EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADERSHIP
Emotionally Intelligent Handout
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Conference Rooms 1 & 2
Emotional intelligence is a quality that can be found in leaders that are both aware of their own emotions and are in tune with the emotions of those around them. They exhibit characteristics of self-awareness self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and also social skills. Learn more about your emotional intelligence and how being an emotionally intelligent leader can benefit you as a student leader and beyond.
Sophie Roepke (she/her), Associate Director, Leadership & Transition Programs
STRESS LESS: PLANNING YOUR “BIG EVENT”
3:00 PM - 3:25 PM | Conference Room 3
Are you planning a signature event this year, such as a gala, formal, or fashion show? If so, Jill will talk you through the logistics of planning your large-scale program to make the process less stressful and more efficient!
Jill Finch (she/her), Student Involvement Coordinator
3:00 PM - 3:25 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Learn best practices on how you can better delegate tasks to others. You don’t have to do everything by yourself all the time. Don’t stress yourself out, learn how to coach and delegate so that you create other competent leaders that are capable of helping throughout the year.
Dr. Erika Jay (she/her), Assistant Director for Commuter and Off-Campus Living
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Banquet Hall 2
Student organizations are a vital part of our campus and help many students create community and find their home at Xavier. Learn more about how your organization contributes directly to student success so you can motivate your members and positively give back to the community.
Ray Flannery (he/him), Assistant Director for Student Organizations
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Conference Room 3
Are you feeling a little burned out or overwhelmed? Does it feel like there's not enough time to do everything you want or to meet the expectations that others have of you? Learn more about how to better manage your own time to help with stress-reduction and focusing your energy.
Rose Walton (she/her), Assistant Director for New Student Programs
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Conference Rooms 4 & 5
Being a student organization officer can be exhausting! Learn how to focus on your own self-care and wellbeing so that you’re mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to support your club and its members. Hear from student peer educators who can help you balance Xavier’s Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing.
Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG)