SXU Holds Annual Synergy Student Leadership Summit
Saint Xavier University (SXU) held its annual Synergy Student Leadership Summit on February 19, 2022. The annual student-led conference consists of educational sessions, student panels, engaging activities and service projects to help students understand various aspects of leadership and work to become diverse, inclusive and innovative leaders.
"Synergy is an inclusive leadership event that is set up to allow established leaders to further reflect on their leadership identity while also creating space for new and emerging leaders to network with established leaders, learn more about the foundations of leadership, and begin to cultivate an identity of their own," said Joshua Bogaski-Baugh, executive director of Student Success.
Over 100 faculty, staff and students attended the event. Dr. Julian Williams, senior partnerships manager at the Partnership for College Completion, presented as the keynote speaker. Williams, who leads a team that partners with colleges and universities to eliminate gaps in degree completion by race and socio-economic status, served as an inspiration to SXU students, who greatly enjoyed his keynote.
The rest of the event included a session on servant leadership in action, several breakout sessions, a leadership panel, and closing remarks from SXU President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., who inspired students to continue to strive to shape their scholarship and leadership while at SXU and beyond.
After the event, students were asked to describe Synergy in one word, and they used a variety, including enlightening, powerful, insightful, inspirational, rewarding and more. 100% of students agreed that the conference helped further develop their leadership identity. By participating, students felt a closer connection to other student leaders on campus and a stronger connection to the University mission and core values.
"Leadership is not a position or a title. It is action and example; it is cyclical. Our hope is that all of our students will go out into the world to identify and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow through a lens of compassion. I once heard, 'if serving is below you, leadership is beyond you,' and we hope that the spirit of hospitality and service will be integrated into our students' continued work as leaders at SXU and in the world," said Bogaski-Baugh.