In early May 2023, Rotman’s Office of Student Engagement (OSE) kicked off a new initiative to support student leaders as they entered and got settled in their newly elected positions. The kickoff event spanned over two weekend days and hosted approximately 80 student leaders from clubs and groups across Rotman.
Renice Jones, Director of the Office of Student Engagement at Rotman, addresses student leaders during the kickoff event.
OSE Director, Renice Jones led a planning committee of representatives from across the School, including Dana Andrews, Director, Program Services & Student Life, Professional MBA and Specialized Programs; Margaret Charles, Assistant Director, Culture & Community; Stephanie Pereira, Assistant Director, Culture & Community; Alyson Waite, Assistant Director, FT MBA; Scott Rutherford, Executive Director, Leadership Development Lab (LDL) and Anthony Niami, a faculty member at the Self Development Lab (SDL) to create a program that offered a comprehensive foundation for new leaders .
Based on the ideologies and practices from Rotman’s successful and competitive LDL, the team identified the need for consistent leadership support available to all over 200 acting student leaders across Rotman. The kickoff weekend provided students with the necessary tools to dive into their leadership roles and set the foundation for the year for their clubs and groups.
Some clubs represented at May’s kickoff include Rotman African and Caribbean Business Club (RACBC), Rotman Women in Management Association (WIMA), Rotman Pride, Rotman Healthcare Management Association (HMA), Rotman Management Consulting Association (MCA), Rotman Graduate Business Council (GBC) and more.
"As the students connect, support and learn from each other throughout the year, I hope they develop into a powerful network of leaders that go beyond Rotman to influence the organizations and communities that they are a part of."
—Renice Jones, Director, the Office of Student Engagement
The first day of the program introduced leaders to intention setting, followed by a valuable equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) session, urging them to think about ways to incorporate EDI into their events and structure, and ended with an introduction to 21 proven management tools leaders can use to make immediate and effective changes from the popular Rotman elective called GettingItDone. The second day offered attendees an interactive lesson from Scott Rutherford, from the Leadership Development Lab, on how to define personal leadership through exercises and experiences, to understand the critical mindsets and capabilities of leaders for incorporation into their own leadership.
Reflecting on the creation of the training program and the participation during the kickoff event, Renice Jones, Director, the Office of Student Engagement, hopes the program creates a new community of leaders. “As the students connect, support and learn from each other throughout the year, I hope they develop into a powerful network of leaders that go beyond Rotman to influence the organizations and communities that they are a part of,” said Jones.
Feedback from participants was also positive, applauding the speakers and their sessions for being engaging and insightful, while also being honest and practical about the role of leaders and the art of leadership.
Subsequent sessions are planned throughout the year for September, November, January and March, encouraging leaders to reflect and build on their successes, challenges, best practices and approaches to achieve their goals and support their teams.
Students participating in the kickoff event
Written by Cialyn Carson | More Student Stories »