Last weekend, 115 first-year students and 22 upper-class student mentors converged at the Outdoor Education Center located in the heart of the WVU Research Forest in Bruceton Mills for a leadership retreat.
The overnight retreat, hosted by the First-Year Leadership Program and facilitated by AdventureWV, provided students with an opportunity to participate in the Challenge Course low ropes and other team-building activities designed to help build trust among the mentors and mentees and hone communication and leadership skills.
“The retreat was one of the best experiences I've had since coming to West Virginia University and it has definitely changed my perspective on meeting new people and connecting with others,” said Kayla Stein, a freshman public relations major from Spencer Port, New York. “I am so glad that Student Engagement and Leadership offers this opportunity to incoming freshmen and will always remember it as an iconic first-year experience.”
“The retreat was an experience of a lifetime for both students and staff,” assistant director of Student Leadership Development Deron Jackson said. “In two short days I witnessed personal growth and development among the student leaders and I am excited to work with this great group throughout the semester.”
The 10-week First-Year Academy, designed to provide hands on leadership experience, began Tuesday (Sept. 9) and will run through November 13.
For more information, contact Deron Jackson at deron.jackson@mail.wvu.edu or 304.293.4397.