|
|
Student Conferences
As part of our commitment to our student leadership, CMSS sponsors three
conferences every year. These experiences are excellent chances for
students to learn new leadership skills, including how to portray a
professional image as well as how to network with both peers and
professionals from throughout the region and nation. Participants at the
conferences are always encouraged to bring resumes and dress to impress.
Topics vary from year to year, but the experience is consistently high
quality.
Northeast Latino Student Leadership Conference - Check in Fall 2008 for the next conference
East Coast Asian American Student Union Conference - Check in Fall 2008 for the next conference
Black Student Leadership Conference - Check in Fall 2008 for the next conference
Experiential Learning Trips
Each semester, the Center for Multicultural Student Services sponsors an
Experiential Learning Trip. The Experiential Learning Trip (ELT) is designed
to immerse students into various cultural and ethnic experiences with which
they might not otherwise be familiar with or participate. Each ELT offers
challenging learning environments and promotes understanding, open
communication, and team cohesiveness through small group experiences.
Participants will increase their cultural awareness and knowledge regarding
the trip themes and issues, while increasing self-awareness,
self-understanding and personal responsibility.
Previous ELT attendees are offered the opportunity to gain leadership skills
and self-confidence through trainings and positions of responsibility. These
positions, called Experiential Learning Friends (ELFs), are offered to
students (sophomore - senior) through an application process. Each ELF is
partnered with a staff member to conduct reflection sessions to process the
emotional, intellectual and personal responses to the trip. New ELFs are
selected for each trip. In addition to gaining new cultural knowledge, most
ELT participants create positive, continuous relationships with other trip
participants and the Center for Multicultural Student Services.
For more information about our ELT trips and ELF leadership opportunities contact:
Dusty M. Krikau at 540/568-6636
Alternative Spring Break
CMSS has been actively pursuing the return of our Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. ASB is done in collaboration with the Community Service Learning Office. A group of 10 students will use their entire spring break to immerse themselves in service and various cultural environments. This year the focus of the trip will be hunger and family homelessness, as we travel to work with the Interfaith Shelter at First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, FL.
First United is one church in a network of churches dedicated to helping families in need. Serving as both evening and overnight hosts, we will assist with dinner preparations, evening activities, helping the children with their homework, and enjoying general family interaction. We will also assist in the mornings by preparing breakfast, helping families with lunch preparations, and anything else needed to prepare them for work or school. Throughout the remaining portions of the day, students will be immersed in the various cultures in the surrounding areas.
Through this experience, students develop new cultural awareness and knowledge regarding the trip themes and issues, while increasing self-awareness, self-understanding and personal responsibility.
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Dusty Krikau at krikaudm@jmu.edu
|
|
|
| |
