The saying goes that college can be the best four years of your life. While making memories with friends and enjoying the life of a college kid — college also makes leaders.
Several students at the UO balanced leadership positions during their senior year, while also keeping on track with their academics.
Asian Pacific American Student Association director, Roseanna Ling feared that APASU could fall this year, but despite the contemplation, APASU managed to surpass the challenges.
Ling gained a variety of members that joined APASU’s spring retreat and building unity for the group by providing different perspectives to events and creating an alliance with OSU’s APASU program.
“I believe that to have a successful student group teamwork is needed,” Ling said. “I personally do not have a strong leadership — my leadership style is using my team’s strengths to get the job done. So teamwork is what is really needed because without it nothing is able to be accomplished.”
After graduation Ling plans to stay another year at the UO and attend the UO Teach program.
Godwin Nwando, Black Student Union co-director, found there are always ups and downs, but with dedication the team can move forward.
As a dedicated ROTC cadet and leader, Nwando managed to balance his academics with his BSU schedule. This year, Nwando wished he had better communication with his team and also wished he would have emphasized the meaning of BSU more to the union.
“A student group is no stronger than the member of the union,” Nwando said. “You can’t have a great union without people who care — that is the biggest thing about BSU. It’s making the connections and helping move great stories for BSU members. It’s the staff and our members that make us strong and all in all this was a successful year.”
Nwando’s post graduation plans include studying for the MCAT, applying for medical school, training as second Lieutenant and later attending graduate school.
Similar to Nwando, MEChA internal director Ricky Salinas worked around his busy schedule as internal director for MEChA and held the co-director position for the middle school tutoring program, Ganas.
Salinas felt that holding two positions tested his ability to support both organizations; although, at times it was difficult to give his full attention to both organizations and maintain a balance between the two.
Salinas is most proud of the active involvement members have given to MEChA and its increase in members. Last spring Salinas remembers the membership was on a decline and made it his goal to attract students to join MEChA.
“All groups and organizations need strong leadership,” Salinas said. “Leadership looks different within each group and for MEChA — it’s about communicating with members and facilitating discussions.”
After graduation Salinas will be doing an internship in Israel.