Leadership

This week I want to share with you about a great office on campus that is commonly referred to as the best kept secret on campus. Through this office, you can meet many great people, help participate in exciting service projects, and help your community, among many other things. This office is the Center for Service, Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service, commonly referred to as CSLEPS. During my high school years, I participated in volunteer work; when coming to college, I wondered how I could continue this involvement. I never imagined there was an office on NCSU campus committed to helping our community by getting students involved and preparing them to be future ethical leaders.

My freshman year I participated in Service NC State, which was in collaboration with an organization named Stop Hunger Now. Students from NC State, neighboring colleges, and even some community members come together on the first Saturday after classes started to put together packaged meals to be sent across the world. In 2008, we packaged over a million meals in just a few hours. Everyone had such a wonderful time during the event, and it passed really quickly. It was amazing to see what can be accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Alternative Service Break trips are other great opportunities offered through CSLEPS. Trips are during Christmas break and spring break. There are international and domestic trips, including everything from helping Habitat for Humanity, alleviating health issues, and teaching English in various countries. Many different interests are involved, and students from all different majors participate. This past spring break, I went to the Dominican Republic on a health issues trip. I had an amazing time interacting with the local people and learning about their culture. We toured their hospital and taught health lessons in the schools. Everyone should take advantage of these trips because you can learn so much, especially about appreciating what you have.

Leadership training is another service offered by of this office. Many great presenters offer workshops on various aspects of leadership that CSLEPS has carefully selected. By attending these workshops and doing a portfolio of service, you can earn a certificate, which employers look upon highly. These workshops have allowed me to look at things in a new perspective.

This past year, I worked with CSLEPS as a Service-Leadership Consultant, planning events and helping lead service projects. We were ambassadors for CSLEPS and helped wherever we were needed. This year this group has been absolved, and paid internships have been put into place. A group of interns over various aspects of CSLEPS have been appointed, and they will form committees where you can get involved with your specific interest and the planning behind events.

There are so many opportunities through the CSLEPS office that I simply cannot describe them all to you here. To learn more, visit their website and see for yourself what all they have to offer. http://www.ncsu.edu/csleps/index.php