EMU student leaders return from statewide conference inspired

Ruth Abera found herself exchanging college pins with students from universities all across Virginia. For the EMU senior, the experience was among her favorite activities at the Student Leadership Conference last weekend because it gave her a chance to connect and start meaningful conversations with others during their breaks between sessions.

EMU sent seven student leaders, including some hall directors and leaders of Campus Activities Council and Student Government Association, along with two Campus Life staff to the conference, hosted at Christopher Newport University from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. The Virginia Association of College & University Housing Officers (VACUHO) organizes the annual event. Among the topics discussed were adapting to change, professional postgraduate development, and avoiding burnout.

The topic on managing and overcoming mental burnout was one that Dia Mekonnen, an EMU junior who works as a community adviser, found helpful. Attendees discussed effective ways to manage the challenges they face while interacting with residents, as well as developing self-care strategies and long-term resilience to prioritize their mental health. Mekonnen said she learned the importance of “guiding others with the power we have and creating a space where people feel comfortable talking about a variety of issues.”  

Scott Eyre, the director for Campus Life, started planning for this event last year, setting aside a budget for the conference as part of EMU’s commitment to develop student leaders. He knew that attending the conference would allow students to connect with others in similar roles and learn about what is happening at other universities, giving them a sense of belonging to a larger community. One of Eyre’s goals was for students to gain “ideas, energy, and education that they could bring back to help EMU continue to grow.” Not only does this conference develop student leaders, but also it helps them develop their own universities.

According to Tyler Stanley, the area coordinator for Campus Life, the most frequently asked question the group encountered while attending the conference was, “Where is EMU?” He said students could then “proudly make themselves and EMU visible in the industry.” 

Although the VACUHO has planned this conference annually for many years, Eyre said it’s been more than a decade since EMU has attended. He is excited the university could attend this year and hopes to send even more students in the coming years. Stanley also wants to continue sending student leaders to the conference and even dreams of EMU hosting the Student Leadership Conference one year. If that were to ever happen, perhaps students would no longer need to ask, “Where is EMU?”

The Student Leadership Conference gives students the opportunity to learn skills and perspectives that will aid them in both their personal and professional lives. Both Abera and Mekonnen returned to EMU inspired by what they had learned about leadership. “A strong leader adapts to the needs of their team and fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated,” Abera said. 

Mekonnen agreed. “This conference inspired me to treat my residents the way I want to be treated and to be there for others,” she said. 

Those attending the conference were Ruth Abera, Amber Bonds, Chase Comer, Anne Cornelius, Dia Mekonnen, Emily Suarez Nunez, and Trinity Price. Two professional Campus Life staff members, Tyler Stanley and Atma Khalsa, also attended.