Feature Release

The Center for Student Leadership puts Fellows in Action

KENNESAW, Ga. (April 1, 2015) - The summer of 2014 brought some interesting changes to
the Center for Student Leadership at Kennesaw State University. There was a shift in the staff
and faculty, there were new programs being added and new ideas to balance out with the existing
structure of the center. While it took some adjusting for the new programs they have proven to be
very successful and meaningful for the students.
New to the CSL would be the Owl Leadership Fellows program and so far it has been a
great success. This new program would be composed of 10 elite student leaders who were
interviewed and picked to participate for the entire year. The Fellows would be in charge of
planning events for the CSL, conducting outreach to other departments and community members
and facilitating workshops with the CSL staff. In their inaugural year, the Fellows have
participated in service programs, reached out and coordinated a full day experience for an
elementary school and joined the TEDxKennesawStateUniversity team.
The students in the Fellows program have all had leadership experience before and
understand what its like to work as team. The group was brought together and the students were
basically strangers and in the few months that they have been together they have formed bonds
and great friendships.
This is one of the most amazing groups that I have had an opportunity to be a part of,
says Rachel Martini, a biology major. We all have different majors, strengths and backgrounds
but we work really great together.
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The Fellows understand what it means to compromise and use individual strengths (for
what). Each week they meet and give updates on their specific committees progress, what they
need help on what the group is working on as a whole. Earlier this year, the Fellows organized a
leadership retreat for a group of fifth graders from Lockheed Elementary School. The day was
filled with different leadership activities, workshops, and team-building games and finished with
lunch at the Commons.
I had such a great time working with the elementary school kids, says Ryan Delaney, a
nursing major. Coordinating the events today with the other Fellow was amazing. I loved
getting the feedback from the teachers at Lockheed telling us that we did a great job.
In November 2014 the Fellows also partnered with the TEDxKennesawStateUniversity
organization to plan an independently organized TED event at KSU. Each of the Fellows that
volunteered to partner with TEDx took an essential role in the overall success of the days events.
The Fellows served as atmosphere director, volunteer coordinator, and marketing and
communication roles.
Being part of the TEDxKennesawStateUniversity team was awesome, says Zach
Harris, a political science major. There were some challenges at first, but I think that the
Fellows worked really well with the TEDx team and we had a successful event.
All of the students participating in the Owl Leadership Fellows program say that it has
been an amazing experience and that they look forward to seeing how it will develop and grow
throughout the years to come. To learn more about the Fellows and keep up with their progress
visit: www.fellowsksu.wix.com/fellowsksu.
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Photos and Graphics: High quality images are available from both the Lockheed Elementary
Outreach day and from TEDxKennesawStateUniversity. We can also provide high quality logos
if needed.
Media Contact:
Katherine Ellsworth, director of public relations
Center for Student Leadership
470-578-6329
www.kennesaw.edu/csl