Achievement

A highlight of our program's activities in the past year was the dramatic increase in student leadership and organization. This was a result of the first meeting of our external advisory board, which recommended formalization of the emerging student leadership. Students created committees to organize activities such as our Winter Storm 2-week workshop, outreach programs, and the student-led portion of our on-line resources. Leaders of each committee form the Student Executive Committee, which works closely with the Faculty Executive Committee. This increased student leadership has not only led to better organized activities, it has fostered a greater sense of collaboration, and a greater sense of student ownership of the program. This has also encouraged less parochial perspectives, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to do effective interdisciplinary work. This leadership experience should serve the students well in their future careers.