NSO Divisions

by Jennifer Fustino

Twenty three members of the Leadership Academy of National Student  Organizations recently attended the Collegiate Leadership Academy in New York City sponsored by Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) and Finish Line. They were accompanied by DEX RI state officers as well as DEX chapter members from Bryant College and Community College of Rhode Island. The conference was held at the Fashion Institute of Technology facilities in the heart of Manhattan.

A few highlights of the conference included: a presentation by Finish Line entitled “What it Takes” as well as Victor’s Gonzalez’s leadership and professional development series which consisted of three workshops; The Logic of Leadership Series”, “ Communicating & Presenting” and “ Conflict Management: When You Can’t See Eye-to-Eye .” Victor Ganzalez is a leadership expert, acclaimed speaker and has authored several books including, The Corporate Inferno, What Great Leaders Do to Win and The Logic of Success.

“Victor Ganzalez was one of the best speakers I have heard. He grasped our attention by being real with us and by having the audience interact with the presentation” said J&W’s Amanda Bersak; RI DEX Vice President. In addition to the outstanding leadership workshops, the conference also featured round table discussions with business and industry leaders and corporate recruiter exhibits.

The Rhode Island chapter held a state meeting to introduce the DEX RI state officers and to give the attendees from Johnson & Wales University, Bryant, and CCRI a chance to introduce one another. The state officers did a wonderful job of ensuring every RI member felt a sense of unity and friendship. They even arranged for the group to attend the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall together, which was a lot of fun. A state dinner was held at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square to finish off the weekend and to reward everyone for their professionalism and dedication. The conference was not only a great bonding experience for the RI affiliates, but it also gave us an opportunity to interact and meet with DEX national officers and other chapter members from around the U.S. The workshops, networking opportunities and friendships gained made this trip a great success.