Phi Theta Kappa-2017 Heart Walk at NWFSC and Okaloosa County Spring Beach Cleanup

Leadership is not only an asset to have in the business world, but within social situations as well. As the 2017 PTK Vice-President and the President of the student chapter of SHRM, I have learned that serving one's community goes "hand in hand" with leadership.  The members of both of my groups follow my example and also volunteer their time to serve their community.  Two of my favorite mottos have always been: "Power is with numbers" and "More hands, less work."  With my leadership skills, I enjoy inspiring others to give back to their community.  Here are some photos from two specific events:  2017 NWFSC Heart Walk and the Okaloosa County Spring Beach Cleanup at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island.  As a group, we helped fight heart disease and improved our environment.  Please get involved with your community and student organizational groups!

My ultimate goal is with the reading of my blog, you have learned leadership is an invaluable asset to exhibit and it will fulfill your heart and soul too!

Photos taken by:
Joseph Bouchard III, Theresa Gunger of PTK, and Lee Bolton of SHRM.


PTK's Official Group Photo at the 2017 Okaloosa/Walton Heart Walk.

All smiles before our 3 mile walk!

Welcoming a new member.

A few members of NWFSC PTK ready to clean the beach at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island.

Fighting the beach wind and putting trash and cigarette butts in proper bags.

All the trash PTK collected for only 2 hours of community service.










 

 
 


 



 

 








My Personal Experience at the NWFSC Student Leadership Retreat

 

 

NWFSC Student Leadership Retreat

 

 

          On September 22, 2017, I attended Northwest Florida State College's "Student Leadership Retreat."  At the retreat, I learned how to utilize a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test (MBTI) to find differences in personality of others and how to promote this diversity in the workplace.  I met with other student leaders here on campus from Student Government Association, SHRM, Film Club, and Raiderwriters.  All of us seemed to enjoy ourselves, especially with the applied exercises used for impacting the concepts.  The retreat had a guest speaker, Ms. Wanda Walker of District 77 Toastmasters explain the Roberts Rule of Order and how it is used to conduct business meetings.  She emphasized the importance of the use of agendas and we "role played" a mock meeting in how it can be used.  We also had two guest student speakers, Liddi Hampton and Anni Ochs explain the importance of how to "clean up" one's social media account and its importance when seeking employment.  All of us were fed a tasty lunch provided by the culinary department at the college.  For being a free event, it was an educational opportunity about leadership that had much impact.  Leadership is balance of acceptance of others, while maintaining organizational order.  The tools that I learned at this retreat will be more familiar to me once I enter the corporate world.  Overall, my experience was positive, and I would promote these retreats (or seminars) to any student, since leadership is a learned asset in business.

 

Samuel Hill (SGA Leadership liaison and Student Life specialist) welcoming us to the Student Leadership Retreat.



Jennifer Smalley explaining her leadership roles with Phi Theta Kappa and SHRM organizations at NWFSC.

My table working on a MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Test.

Getting to know all the other student leaders at NWFSC and having fun!

Analyzing scenarios and making leadership decisions.


Photos taken by Andrew Hannah of Student Life at NWFSC.

 

 



 


 



 











Leadership-Thinking in an Alternative Way

I highly recommend watching this video because it puts leadership in a "grounded perspective" and it will change one's mind on how to get workers to follow your lead!

Entrepreneur Mindset added a new video.

As an Entrepreneur leadership skill is the top most priority. Its absolutely vital one must develop the ability to lead if not their business shall bleed. In this video Simon Sinek explains how.

Speaker: Simon Sinek [ Occupation -->Author, Motivational speaker, Entrepreneur ]
Credit: TED

https://www.facebook.com/Mindset2Succeed/videos/903594459793773/?hc_ref=ARTW2eTykowGqHz0OEJovPbPBzWIBYZktwg5Jl8fpeCu7jXxISKEw4V1WWrW70Vqm7s


If you have any questions on how to become involved in leadership activities here at NWFSC or would like information on SHRM or PTK, please contact me at smalleyj@nwfsc.edu.  I would love to hear from you! 

Student Leadership Retreat at NWFSC

I am attending this event on the Northwest Florida State campus in Niceville.  I encourage ALL students to learn with me about leadership skills and networking.  It is a great way to interact with other students and receive expert information.  This is an exceptional opportunity for all students to improve their communication and organizational skills!  This event is free of charge and complementary lunch is included. 

As for myself, attending this instructional event will guide me to become an improved leader and board member for both Phi Theta Kappa and SHRM.  Also, it will teach me ways to excel within leadership opportunities in my healthcare management business career!  If you have any questions about becoming involved with organizations here on campus, I would be happy to guide you in the right direction.  Please contact me at: smalleyj@nwfsc.edu. 

 

 

 

 

Student Leadership Retreat Fall 2017

Join NWF student leaders at the Student Leadership Retreat 2017 for a slammed pack day of leadership development. Attendees will participate in interactive workshops and engage in thoughtful discussions with other student leaders.  Students will develop various essential leadership skills such as communication, team building, problem-solving, self-awareness, and critical thinking.

www.eventbrite.com

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/student-leadership-retreat-fall-2017-registration-37537085433?aff=ebdsorderfblightbox

SHRM: Society For Human Resource Management-An Asset in Building Business Knowledge

   (image courtesy of www.siop.org)

   

          SHRM, or otherwise known as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 285,000 members in more than 165 countries. According to www.shrm.org, "For nearly seven decades, the Society has been the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates.  It was originally called the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA).  SHRM has grown and is recognized worldwide as the largest human resource organization that helps develop and serve HR professionals (and business students).  It has been recognized as a global leader of the HR profession.  As their mission statement states on www.shrm.org, "SHRM provides education, thought leadership, certification, community and advocacy to enhance the practice of human resource management and the effectiveness of HR professionals in the organizations and communities they serve."

           In 2016, I joined Northwest Florida State College's student chapter of SHRM for many reasons.  As a healthcare management major, I was seeking an organization that would prepare me for entering the business world upon graduation.  With a paid yearly student membership fee of $35 (which usually gets reimbursed from the chapter's funds), it allows me the golden opportunity to network with other students, faculty, and outside professionals.  Essential business techniques such as job resumes, job interview skills, and portfolio building are all explained by experts. Job experience usually is a major prerequisite for many job opportunities, and SHRM students are given first priority and notice when any new internships become available.  Having a SHRM designation on your resume adds value and highlights your business knowledge.  SHRM certifications can be eventually gained through joining the main organization as well.  Recently, I became the new president of SHRM when our former president, Lee Bolton graduated this summer (with a Bachelors of Applied Science in Project Management).  Our SHRM student chapter is constantly looking for new members to join.  Are you one of them? If so, I would be happy to give you more details!  Please contact me at smalleyj@nwfsc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa-A World Recognized Academic Society

 (original image courtesy of www.ptk.org and published by www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu)

        Phi Theta Kappa, or otherwise known at PTK (ΦΘΚ) is an internationally recognized honor society of two-year community colleges worldwide.  It was founded on November 19, 1918 at Stephens College.  According to www.ptk.org, Phi Theta Kappa's mission statement is:

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

        The qualifications that a student gets inducted into Phi Theta Kappa is:  1) Have completed at least 12 credit hours at a two-year community college; 2) Earned a 3.5 GPA or higher on the completed courses; 3) Pay a $80.00 membership fee and/or any other regional fees; and 4) Remain in good academic standing with continuously earning a 3.5 GPA. 

        In the fall of 2016, I was honored to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Northwest Florida State College.  As an older adult that timidly returned to a college campus, receiving this accolade astonished me.  It energized me to go out of my comfort zone to meet others and to "give back" with volunteer opportunities.  I eventually found myself at every basketball and baseball concession stand, meeting various students at Fall and Spring Flings, and volunteering my efforts when needed at various events.  These included the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk and the American Cancer Society Heart Walk.  With the changing of the calendar year, I found myself wanting to give myself more and applied for a board position as the Vice-President of PTK on the NWFSC campus.  I was elected by my peers in May of 2017.  My fellow honor society members call me "Mother Hen," due to being the  "older kid on campus" and a single mother of two teenagers at home.  As I continue on my academic journey to earn a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management in the Fall of 2018, my leadership skills will continue to grow. These experiences will help me grow into a management professional once I graduate.
          If you have any questions about PTK, please don't hesitate to contact me at:  smalleyj@nwfsc.edu.  I will be happy to give further information about this organization!