The Spring 2024 Semester Leadership Retreat
An unforgettable and enriching experience
“The Office of Student Life and Development supports the mission of New York City College of Technology through the intentional design and implementation of developmental activities, experiences, and services that foster a supportive, challenging, and nurturing environment. Student Life provides opportunities for City Tech students to engage in purposeful and trans-formative learning to prepare them to be active learners, successful graduates, and engaged global citizens.” – Student Life & Development SLD
The leadership retreat was a weekend-long getaway, coordinated by the Manager Vanessa Villanueva, and her incredible team at New York City College of Technology’s Student Life and Development Center. Through great observation, attention to details, and communication they worked together to give every participating student a memorable and life-changing experience. Along with written safety guidelines, emergency contact info, and written itineraries, we were also gifted brand-new backpacks, windbreakers, stainless steel insulated water bottles, pens, leather notebooks, and a few other accessories. Everything was customized with SLD and City Tech’s logo.
While staying at Edith Macy Conference Center from April 5 to April 7, we were pampered with delicious and healthy meals, drinks, desserts, and snacks. The staff was welcoming and attentive. They even accommodated our students fasting during Ramadan, by allowing them to store their food and finding them a private room to prey. We got to participate in karaoke and smores nights. The indoor amenities and rooms were beautifully structured with what looked like a great combination of cherry wood for the columns and deck wood for the ceilings. Throughout the facilities, we got to explore beautiful contemporary and eclectic paintings that complimented the large windows, high ceilings, beautiful plants, natural wood, white tiled walls, and grey stone chimneys. The 405-acre forested property, surrounded by hiking paths, is only a five minutes walk from the Kinderogen Lake.
From Friday morning to Sunday evening, we were provided tailored curriculums for personal growth and professional development. The itinerary which involved a series of engaging workshops and team-building activities, prepared us to work in groups of seven to propose initiatives that can help improve student life at City Tech. Participating in the team-building activities was exciting! I enjoyed expressing my perspective on many great topics brought on by Vanessa Villanueva and Sabrina Santos.
A special event that was a part of the engaging workshops and team-building activities was called the Catalyst, an enriching seminar focused on learning to develop our unique path, connect to groups and causes we care about, and commit to a plan to be a catalyst for ourselves and the groups we are a part of. The seminar was designed to fuel each group to start something extraordinary in the process of creating our initiatives. Through small-group dialogues, large-group interactions, and personal reflections, we got to consider powerful questions that moved us towards action, such as: Am I on the right path? Who do I want to be? How can I connect with other like-minded individuals? What I found most beneficial during the Catalyst was when we were encouraged to discuss our hidden weaknesses. I found it important in the process of learning about my team members. I also felt liberated after expressing my shortcomings.
For our City Tech Initiative, we proposed to beautify City Tech’s main entrance with digital and print displays of student art, highlighting the campus’s diverse culture and multidisciplinary dynamic. The outcome of this initiative would create potential internship and portfolio-building opportunities, talent exposure, student involvement and appreciation, cultural awareness, and highlight City Tech’s character. The project had three stages. In the first stage, we were instructed to define the objective, research, brainstorm, and narrow down ideas. The second stage involved developing the proposal by elaborating on the initiative’s objective, target audience, funding needed, implementation plan, timeline, and expected outcome. The final stage was presenting the project, which involved clearly articulating the problem, proposing solutions, and expected benefits. By students’ vote, we won in second place. Through this project, I got to learn to work through differences and compromise. I also got to practice trusting other members to take on important roles.
Most of the students who participated in the retreat were club officers and members of the Student Government Association. The leadership retreat was academically, politically, and socially enriching. In light of our current time of elections at City Tech, I got to learn what a few candidates are hoping to do if they win. Through interactions outside of our meetings, I got to learn the unique goals and visions of many students. How each of them envisions making their mark at City Tech before they graduate, through club or government involvement.
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Marling Sone and President Russell K. Hotzler observed and shared powerful words with everyone. Words that inspired and fueled our creativity and team collaborating experience. It was truly an honor to meet VP Marling Sone. I got to have a one-on-one discussion where she shared some wise words about the importance of marketing myself in a way that allows me to develop in the realm of Technical Writing and professional communication. She also shared the many aspects that make City Tech run, such as certain protocols and guidelines important to consider in the process of proposing initiatives.
The SLD staff members were the best examples of what we were learning all weekend. Which required great leadership, effective collaboration, great listening skills, delegating, and promoting a safe and positive environment for students to share and grow. Most of all, we saw their cultural competence when voicing and accommodating students' religious and cultural needs throughout the whole trip. I am thankful for their hard work in creating such an enriching itinerary and keeping us engaged and safe. They truly made this retreat an unforgettable experience.
