Originally published February 16, 2016
By Christina Rodriguez
UTEP Communications
Deans, faculty and staff handpicked 135 bright and talented students from The University of Texas at El Paso to take part in the fifth annual 21st Century Scholars Program on Feb. 10, 2016. Scholars spent the day receiving valuable advice and information from various UTEP and El Paso educators and leaders, as well as participated in activities that emphasize the core concepts of leadership, networking and communication.
“The 21st Century Scholars program provides a unique opportunity for UTEP students, who have been identified as emerging leaders by colleges and departments, to consider just what leadership means to them,” said Ann Horak, Ph.D., director of UTEP’s Religious Studies Program and 21st Century Scholars faculty in residence. “The program lets these students hear the inspiring stories of their peers, faculty members and community leaders, and encourages them to think about their own story and how they can use their skills to serve their community.”
Selected students were excited for the opportunity to take part in this comprehensive, highly interactive and hands-on workshop.
“I was very surprised and glad to be asked to participate this year,” Junior Genesis Arreola Castaneda said. “I wasn’t aware of the program before, so when I learned what it is all about, I felt very honored and excited to be a part of it.”
UTEP and community leaders got a chance to share their success stories in hopes of inspiring a new crop of leaders to be influential and successful not only in their fields but in all their present and future endeavors.
“This is a great opportunity to be able to encourage upcoming leaders to think about important concepts of leadership and how they will inspire others,” said Bess Simon-Taylor, Ph.D., associate dean of UTEP’s Graduate School.
This year’s multi-dimensional daylong workshop was designed to empower participants to walk away with highly effective strategies that would enable them to express themselves and be influential, engaging and social in a professional setting.
“This experience has provided me with invaluable ways to develop important communication skills and the ability to positively impact people on a daily basis,” Junior Mack Leftwich said.
The 21st Century Scholars Program is presented by the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Engagement and Leadership Center, which prepares UTEP students for high-caliber leadership in today’s competitive workforce. Through its innovative and impactful programming, students are given the opportunity to develop essential skills for their future professions.
The program was recognized as the Silver Award Winner among the 2012-13 Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Excellence Awards given by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.