LA's Support the OCA Mission Statement:
The Office of Campus Activities (OCA) provides opportunities for meaningful co-curricular engagement that develop self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and citizenship, complementing academic, co-op, and professional experiences.
OCA has a team of 7 amazing LA's on the University City Campus for 2011-12!
Top (L-R): Laura Wu, Liana Dixon, Leming Chen
Bottom (L-R): Jessica Zou, Melissa Reilly, Oksana Slobodyan, Manoja Muthukumar
OCA also has 3 LA's serving the Center City Hahnemann Campus for 2011-12!
Left to Right: Diamond Mormon-Lewis, Jessica Viola, Heshan Wanigasekera
Read more below to learn about the 2011-2012 LA Team and to contact them directly.
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The current and active Leadership Assistants for the 2011-2012 academic year include:
University City Main Campus (UCMC) - LA Team:
Center City Hahnemann Campus (CCHC) - LA Team:
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Click here to download the Fall Term 2011 LA Office Hour Schedule. Please reach out to your LA liaison assigned to your student organization should you need assistance or want to set-up a meeting - contact information is provided in the downloadable PDF and in the bio's below. To find out which LA is assigned to be your student organization's liaison, refer to the bio's below. For general info, feel free to reach out to any member of the team at LeadershipAssistant@drexel.edu.
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Name: Leming Chen
Major: Business Administration: Finance & Economics
Year: Junior
From: King of Prussia, PA
Contact Email: lc457@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 2pm-5pm; Thursdays 9am-1pm;
and
Fridays 2pm-5pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
I am actively involved with several student organizations on campus, all of which I have assumed a leadership position with. I serve as the President of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Treasurer and Assistant VP of Marketing for the Drexel Investment Group, and Treasurer of the Honors Student Advisory Committee. During fall quarter 11-12, I worked in the Business Analysis and Promotion with Chevrolet Special Topics Business course, creating a marketing campaign to increase consideration and opinion of three Chevrolet vehicles in the minds of generation Y.
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
This position presents an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, while at the same time, applying my personal knowledge about leadership and campus engagement to better strength and improve student life at Drexel. The OCA promotes four core values: educate, engage, inspire, and transform. I believe it is essential for all students and organizations to recognize these values when progressing into the future. Being a leadership assistant allows me to experience and apply these values first hand.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
I became a Leadership Assistant because from personal experience, I know that students and student organizations on campus could use as much support as possible. Running an organization and becoming actively engaged with one can be quite challenging. I want to help students grow and develop as professionals and offer myself as a resource of knowledge and experience to others. Through this experience, I will be able to develop my own personal skills, hone my strengths and improve upon my weaknesses.
What do you really like about this position?
The best part of this position is just the opportunity to meet so many new people I otherwise would never have come across here at Drexel. The LA team is wonderful and being able to connect with so many other student leaders and organizations is really just an enriching experience. The OCA has a fun team culture and really supports you in any way they can.
What is the best advice someone gave you?
To love yourself.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
It's better to risk everything than hold onto nothing. –Clark Kent, Smallville
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
I would love to see a high profile individual, whether that be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a star athlete, or someone who has made an impact in our community come onto campus to speak about leadership and its importance in the world. Leadership isn’t just about directing, motivating, and enabling others. It’s also about understanding one’s self and how an individual can reach beyond boundaries and achieve great things. Increased guest speakers and panel discussions could really add value to students and organizations to hear about real life goals, obstacles, and accomplishments.
Leming Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Liana Dixon
Major: Business Administration
(Minors: Legal Studies & Criminal Justice)
Year: Senior
From: Houston, Texas
Contact Email: lnd32@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30am-1:30pm;
Tuesdays 1pm-3:30pm; and Thursdays 1pm-3pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
Women’s Rugby 2008-Present; Treasurer 2010-Present
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
This position represents an opportunity to become more involved in Drexel’s community and to give others the opportunity to do the same.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
I got involved with this position because I really appreciate the variety of events and activities that Drexel offers and I wanted the chance to spread this enjoyment to my fellow students.
What do you really like about this position?
I like that I get to see behind the scenes of Drexel’s activities and I can better understand how things work.
What is the best advice someone gave you?
Carpe diem.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
“Ask forgiveness, not permission.”
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
I think the CEO LEAD program is a great leadership resource that all students should take advantage of.
Liana Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Manoja Muthukumar
Major: Business Administration-Finance, MIS and Marketing
Year: Senior
From: Pennington, NJ
Contact Email: mm3238@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays 9:30am-11:30am;
and Wednesdays and Fridays 11:30am-1:30pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
I am involved in a few organizations in the business school. I have held marketing, event planning, treasurer and vice president positions. I am also a part of a volunteer group.
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
Being a Leadership Assistant provides an opportunity for me to bring in previous experience from the other side of the coin. This position provides an opportunity to do a bit of managing time, work and still continue to be a leader.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
I had heard about this position through the course of being a student leader in a number of student organizations. I applied to get involved as a Leadership Assistant to work with a new set of people and to learn and to work with student organizations as well.
What do you really like about this position?
I really like the fact that the project chosen relates to what is being done in the OCA but at the same time, it is work that can be done independently. There is opportunity to do something or host events that will benefit the student body and clubs.
What is the best advice someone gave you?
The best advice I have ever been given is to just be you. If attempting to be someone else, it doesn’t come off the same; instead it gives an air of being someone else.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
A favorite leadership quote that I have is, “Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilarations of victory,” by George Patton. Many opportunities have been opened to me in the last three years and I find that the combination of these opportunities never stops with different sets of puzzles of sorts.
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
There are a lot of resources that Drexel has for student groups. It is just finding them and using them. So showing them where to find them and the processes may help!
Manoja Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Melissa Reilly
Major: Communication: Corporate & Public Relations
Year: Senior
From: Cheltenham, PA
Contact Email: mer53@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 5pm-6pm; Tuesdays 3:30pm-5pm; Wednesdays 5pm-7pm; and Thursdays 4:30pm-5pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
Two student organizations that I am involved with are Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and the Panhellenic Council. As a sister of DPhiE, I have held a variety of positions from Coordinator of Special Events to Coordinator of Alumnae Relations and I am currently the Ritualist. I have been very active on the Panhellenic Council (the council that oversees the 6 NPC sororities here at Drexel). During my sophomore year, I was both the Greek Week Chair and Treasurer. And I have had the privilege of being the president of Panhellenic the past two years.
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
Leadership has always been a passion for me (ever since I won my class's student council election in 2nd grade). Being a Leadership Assistant allows me to give back to a campus that has given so much to me! If it wasn't for my student organizations and mentors, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. It is awesome to work in an environment where people have the same passion.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
Besides the fact that Richard Kopp is on the list of my favorite people at Drexel, I wanted to give back to Drexel. I have strengthened my leadership skills during the past four years at the university and I wanted to help others do the same. I also want to pursue a career in Student Affairs/Higher Education, so I figured this would be a great stepping stone. And of course, I LOVE networking!
What do you really like about this position?
I really like that I get to work with other student leaders. Although we are all from different student organizations, we all have a common goal and drive! Since most of my leadership positions prior to this were Fraternity & Sorority Life related, this role allows me to network with leaders outside of my circle. Networking is one of my favorite aspects of being a leader. Not only does it create awesome and resourceful bonds, but you can even get a friend out of it!
What is the best advice someone gave you?
"Take your cool cap off." During the first few minutes of a Fraternity & Sorority Life leadership retreat I attended over the summer, our head facilitator told everyone to take their "cool caps" off. Many times, people think they are "too cool" to fully participate at conferences or at life in general. This takes away from many experiences because the person is unable to say what they are thinking or try new things. This isn't high school and being "cool" really doesn't make you successful.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
“Destiny is for losers. It’s just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen.” – Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
Free Blackberries, but seriously, my phone bill is way high. I would love to see student organizations utilizing the SORC in general. Hopefully during the next few terms, we will be able to educate them about all the SORC has to offer! I would also enjoy seeing more leadership conferences and weeks. And being able to recognize our hardworking officers!!
Melissa Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Oksana Slobodyan
Major: Business Administration; Concentrations: Finance,
Legal Studies & International Business
Year: Class of 2013
From: Ukraine-originally, Huntingdon Valley, PA-currently
Contact Email: os47@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Fridays 8:30am-10am and 12pm-3pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
I have been a Leadership Assistant for over a year now, but I do not hold any positions within student clubs/organization. I am part of Drexel Financial Association, Biddle Law Society, Drexel Women in Business, Drexel International Business Association, and Drexel Ukrainian Society. I did play intramural volleyball my freshman year as well. I attend other student organizations events and meetings, but only when they are holding a workshop or event that I am interested in attending.
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
Due to me being a commuter from home it is difficult for me to take part in many organization’s activities, but by being an LA I get to help these organizations and through the events and workshops we host I get to know the groups and their leaders better. By being an LA I get to improve upon my leadership skills and be active in different areas of Student Life. I really enjoy meeting everyone and being a contact that student organizations can refer to to provide them with assistance and help achieve their goal or fix any issues they may have.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
Last year I was an LA and I enjoyed working with the LA team as well as getting to know all of the many different types of student organizations and the members of Student Life staff. I would like to continue being an LA and try to take on more responsibility and help with the new CEO LEAD workshops. The people I work with make being a Leadership Assistant a great position to hold. You are truly part of a wonderful team.
What do you really like about this position?
I really like that this position helps a diverse population, from clubs/organizations to fraternities/sororities and athletic groups. I like the idea of being a liaison and really having hands on experience with what happens on campus. My LA Team is made up of a great group of people and I am glad that I have met them all through this because we all motivate and help one another and it shows what a great cohesive team we are and how together we will make a difference on campus. I believe being an LA provides me with a lot of insight and guidance that will help me in my future career.
What is the best advice someone gave you?
I believe the best advice was to never knock anything down before I try it. I really try to test every option or obstacle that comes my way. I might get nervous or scared, but once I am there, I take control and really try to get the most out of what I do and in the end I find it beneficial and fun experience. Some things might seem mundane at first, but the results in the end are all worth it. I find this advice helpful since it really makes me take chances and do things that I might not be willing to try, but later it betters me as a person and helps me achieve my future goals and objectives.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
My favorite leadership quote would have to be “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” I feel this is a true statement because people are scared to take risks or do things that they haven’t done before, but when they do they are amazed with their accomplishments. This quote was said by Henry Kissinger and I feel it applies to anyone, college student or CEO, you really need to motivate the people you are leading and try to either give them ideas for an approach, or even better, make them use their creativity to find a new way of acquiring their goals. This idea of motivating people to tap into something they haven’t thought about may be difficult at first, but it will offer them more possibilities to reach their full potential and accomplish more in the future.
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
I feel a lot of Drexel University students and organizations are not aware of the wonderful resources they have and should really maximize their efforts to become more familiar with the Student Organization Resource Center / SORC (Lower Level, Creese Student Center). I believe the student organizations that have taken advantage of the SORC should also offer ideas on how we can improve or offer suggestions on what they see that can be updated or made better. I feel that the SORC has a lot to offer, but we need the student body to take advantage and really use this resource to their benefit to get the most out of their experiences on campus. I believe by looking and hearing what works on other college campuses we can integrate more into what Drexel offers the student body, as well as our student body speaking up about what doesn’t satisfy their needs so we can better our services to students.
Oksana Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Laura Wu
Major: Chemical Engineering
Year: Senior
From: Philadelphia, PA
Contact Email: xw23@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 9am-1:30pm; and Thursdays 1pm-3pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
I currently don’t hold any positions in any organizations, but I participated in a few organizations such as Global China Connection, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, etc.
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
The Leadership Assistant position provides a lot of opportunities to strengthen my leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Serve as a liaison between OCA and student organizations to assist the student organizations with resources. Lead and manage specific projects to promote student engagement and involvement on campus.
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
I got involved with the Leadership Assistant position because this is a great opportunity to improve my leadership skills while working with the student organization leaders. It also helps me get more involved with campus activities and make an impact on campus with my services. Through this position, I will gain many valuable skills that will help me succeed in the future.
What do you really like about this position?
This position will help me gain experiences in planning, promoting and managing of campus-wide activities. Expand my network while assisting with different projects that helps to improve the campus in various ways for students. It also allows me to participate in many campus-wide activities, programs and special events that I was not able to as an uninvolved student.
What is the best advice someone gave you?
The best advice I’ve gotten is always set realistic goals, achieve them, and recalibrate your goals so you are constantly moving forward. Setting unrealistic goals only harms your self-esteem and your performance, and you will never be able to move forward. Instead, set some realistic goals and move forward to achieve the higher goals.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
One of my favorite leadership quotes is “Be the change you want to see in the world” by Ghandi. If you want to see the change, you must start with yourself first. If you can’t even do it, how can you expect others to want the change too?
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
I think providing a leadership development program for students who are particularly interested in developing their leadership skills would be really nice. It can offer classes with credits, workshops, conferences, presentations, community services to help the students learn, develop and practice. Perhaps a 2 to 3 year special program that prepares the students for their professional career.
Laura Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Jessica Zou
Major: Business Administration Concentration in Finance
Year: Sophomore
From: Philadelphia, PA
Contact Email: jz364@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3pm-6pm; and Thursdays 4:30pm-6pm
What are some of the activities you are involved with (and positions held)?
Site Leader at Urban Affairs Coalition; Dean's Student Advisory Board, LeBow College of Business; Drexel Community Scholar, CCE; Peer Leader, LeBow College of Business
What does the Leadership Assistant position mean to you?
The LA position means that I would be able to learn and grow with other fellow student leaders on campus and help them get all the resources they need to make their student organization successful. Also, I’m the one that can help improve campus wide events more convenient, helpful and fun!
How did you get involved with the Leadership Assistant position?
I have attended many campus/student organization events and CEO LEAD certified workshops. I think these workshops are very helpful in both personal and professional growth. Now I want to challenge myself with the Leadership Assistant position to actually take part in putting these workshops together and presenting them to Drexel students and staff. I'm always up for an adventure so I am up for any events or activities that I will be taking part in. One of my goals is to become a strong leader, I think this is another opportunity to grow and learn as a leader. I want other students to have the chance to experience things that I have experienced. I want to be able to increase student involvement on campus activities because campus activities help personal and professional development, I want to be able to reach out to students and help encourage students to go to workshops and events that Drexel Campus Activities offers.
What do you really like about this position?
I like that fact that I have a chance to meet with all the student leaders on campus!
What is the best advice someone gave you?
Don’t have too much on your plate at once, but have enough.
What is your favorite leadership quote?
"Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve." -Tom Landry
What leadership development opportunities or resources would you like to see Drexel University offer students and student organizations?
I hope to have more speakers come in from different place to speak at our Leadership Weeks so that our students can see what they can potentially be like the future. I hope to provide more relevant resources to students, for example, how to make effective flyers and advertising tips for student org events and more! Also, I hope to have more fun events on campus!
Jessica Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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Name: Diamond Mormon-Lewis
Major: Health Services Administration
Year: Sophomore
Contact Email: dpm62@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 9am-12pm;
and Tuesdays 11am-3pm
About:
I started working for Student Life in December 2010. I have assisted in planning events, directing students to different resources, covering the front desk, maintaining the locker system, designing bulletin boards, and keeping the office up and running.
Why Drexel?
I originally chose Drexel because of the outstanding Nursing program and the co-op program. After changing majors, I chose to stay at Drexel because I knew that by being here I was obtaining an education from one of the best universities in the country.
Why Student Life?
I love students. I love working with students and helping to make their experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Diamond Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
UNDO; Rad Tech; CAB; and HSAD.
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Name: Jessica Viola
Major: Health Sciences, Pre-Physician's Assistant
Year: Junior
Contact Email: jrv44@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 11am-3pm; and Wednesdays 11am-3pm
About:
I started working for Student Life in May 2011. I’ve covered the front desk, directed and assisted students with campus inquiries, directed phone calls to appropriate destinations, helped organize and assign over 400 lockers, helped set up bulletin boards, processed and catalogued information into Excel Documents, prepared copies, and sent faxes to appropriate destinations.
Why Drexel?
The PA program is well known and I loved the idea of going to school in the city rather than the traditional ‘closed in’ green campus.
Why Student Life?
Meeting and helping new people everyday.
Jessica Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Pre-PA; Pre-PT; SNAP; and Senate.
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Name: Heshan Wanigasekera
Major: Business Administration: Finance & Economics
Year: Senior
Contact Email: hsw26@drexel.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12pm-3pm; Thursdays 12pm-3pm;
and Fridays 12pm-4pm
About:
I started working for Student Life in June 2011 as the Locker Manager for Center City but have since taken on the role as a Leadership Assistant as well. I am an International student from Sri Lanka and have so far loved my experience in the US. I am a senior majoring in Finance and Economics and have been part of a number of organizations on campus, namely DES, DIBA, and DSLSA (Founding Member) as a member of the Executive Board. I am also an Undergraduate RA for the Office of Residential Living based out of Stiles Hall in Center City.
Why Drexel?
I originally chose Drexel because of the Co-op program they offer to their students. I feel that hands on experience in whichever field one specializes in is always a good thing. This is what makes Drexel students stand out from any other students. Drexel’s education system is more career- oriented and geared towards creating a more polished, versatile, career-minded individual. This is exactly what I was looking for. Drexel is also among the Top 100 Universities in the US with an outstanding Business School.
Why Student Life?
I have always been a person who loves people and interaction. I feel that Student Life gives me the opportunity to interact with a very diverse student population and share my experiences with them. Also being an RA for RLO it gives me the opportunity to combine the Residential Living experience with the student life experience and make the campus a much more student-friendly environment. I love the work that I do with students. As Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work; and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Heshan Serves as a Leadership Assistant Liaison to the Following Student Organizations:
Coming Soon.
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