Hawks Learn from Jesuit Peers at National Conference

Hundreds of students from the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. came to the nation’s capital earlier this month for a crash course in the meaning of Ignatian leadership.

Since 1997, the five-day National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference has given students an opportunity to develop their leadership skills alongside peers and talk about ways to make their own schools better. From July 19-23, attendees sat in on student-led workshops, heard from renowned speakers and took part in activities. Hosted this year by Georgetown University, the 2017 gathering, with its familiar Jesuit theme of “Set the World on Fire,” also gave students a chance to advocate directly for issues facing higher education with representatives on Capitol Hill.

A total of 10 students represented Rockhurst at this year’s conference, along with staff companions Angie Carr Robinett, M.A., director of student life, and Celia Fox, assistant director of campus ministry. Maggie Cain, a senior studying education and Spanish, said she was excited to be chosen to go, but purposefully went into the experience with an open mind. By the time she was leaving Washington, she said she had a lot to take back to Rockhurst with her.

“I've always said Rockhurst is comprised of people of a different breed. They are friendly, welcoming, motivating, and humbly impactful individuals,” Cain said. “This leadership conference has reminded me of how much power we possess as human beings. By tapping into our intellect and listening to the perspectives of others, anything is possible.”

Nick Bader, a senior studying chemistry, physics of medicine, and philosophy, said he appreciated having the opportunity to discuss with elected representatives issues close to the hearts of many college administrators as well as students — protecting funding sources such as Pell Grants and Perkins loans, which provide access to college for students in financial need; and ensuring that college campuses are safe and welcoming places for all students. The two sides might not have always agreed, but Bader said those meetings did have a tangible impact — for instance, he said U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City has scheduled a follow up public meeting to touch on some of the issues raised by the group in August.

Both Bader and Cain said the lessons that stood out for them concerned the subject for which the conference was named — leadership.

“NJSLC served as an important reminder that everyone on our campus has their own unique talents and perspectives to offer. It is important to remember that sometimes the best way to lead is to follow,” said Bader, who also serves as the vice president of the VOICES for Justice student group at Rockhurst. “It takes a great deal of humility to recognize that someone else may be better suited for the task at hand. Sometimes it is better to support that person than trying to tackle the problem on your own.”

From the speakers who dotted the conference to the one-on-one interactions she had, Cain — who volunteers with the University’s Leftovers with Love program — said the NJSLC cemented for her the difference that people can make when they work together.

“This experience also taught me when it comes to leadership, we always talk about those individuals who have made it to the top of the mountain. This conference taught me it's easy to be intimidated by such powerful leaders, but we can be equally motivated by those who haven't made it to the top,” she said. “As long as we approach anything with a sense of enthusiasm and passion, anything can be done!”