The annual Students of Color Leadership Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Oswegatchie Educational Center in Croghan, New York. The retreat is organized by the Office of Residence Life Diversity & Inclusion Committee to give students of color the opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions, develop their leadership potential, receive empowerment to be active in their communities and gain encouragement to engage in leadership opportunities.
Students at a previous Students of Color Leadership Retreat
Participants will be expected to actively engage in dialogue by sharing views, attitudes, beliefs and experiences both openly and honestly. The retreat fosters an environment in which students are able to share and express themselves and their experiences freely. Many participants’ experience during the retreat has influenced their involvement on campus as well.
“I learned so much about myself and other people of color at the retreat. The space allowed for real conversations about issues we deal with on a daily basis,” says Victoria Lawson ’20, a student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “This allowed me to gain insight from other perspectives and enlighten others on campus.”
“The Students of Color Leadership Retreat allowed me to recognize a community on campus where, at first glance, I didn’t see one. Since my participation in this retreat I boldly look for ways to empower students of color at Syracuse University; more recently, I have found a home in the Xicanxs Empowering Xicanxs student organization on campus,” says Janet Flores ’18, a geography major in the College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
The retreat is open to 30 undergraduate students who self-identify as students of color. Students who are new or seeking to get more involved are encouraged to apply. However, students of all leadership involvement levels are welcome. The retreat is free, but there may be a cost incurred for no-call, no-show incidents.
To participate, students must complete the online application by Sept. 30. Spaces fill up quickly so apply as soon as possible. For additional information, please contact Arienne Milkles.
