JJC’s Office of Student Activities Hosts Conference on Servant Leadership

The Joliet Junior College Office of Student Activities (OSA) hosted the Illinois Community College Student Activities Association (ICCSAA) Fall Conference Oct. 18-19.

Approximately 200 students and advisors from 19 schools across the state attended breakout sessions and an awards ceremony at JJC’s Main Campus and Rock Run Convention Center. Dozens of attendees also participated in community service projects as part of the conference’s theme, servant leadership.

OSA Fall 2019 Conference
The OSA team with its Ed Snyder Merit Book Award

“There are always people in need, even if we don’t see them or don’t know them,” said JJC student representative Will Vanderhoff. “Even in our immediate area people need help.”

Vanderhoff volunteered at the Joliet Hope Center, one of seven organizations, where he worked along an assembly line to package foods and prepare them for shelving.

Participants also organized the food pantry at the Salvation Army, assisted with washing windows at the Center for Disability Services, cleaned at both Easterseals Joliet Region and the Smith Family YMCA, created bereavement boxes at Joliet Area Community Hospice, and stained and refinished picnic tables at Trinity Services.

“I think the conference was very empowering and it made a good impact in my life,” said Luis Rodriguez, another JJC student representative who helped at Joliet Area Community Hospice. “The overarching point that I found was that servant leadership should not be leading from a higher position, but instead serving our groups from the same level. It's not about making it to the top of the pyramid while the rest fall behind, but rather serving people to be the best they can be.”

During the awards ceremony, OSA was formally presented the Ed Snyder Merit Book Award for 2018-2019 by ICCSAA. This marks the 11th straight year OSA has been honored for its Merit Book, which is a bound document that provides an accounting of activities and services provided each year. The award is based on six criteria, including student voice, assistance to other clubs and organizations, and student leadership training.

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at 815-280-2844 or sharvey@jjc.edu.