Recognizing the significance of student leadership, I collaborate closely with Student Government and other campus stakeholders to enhance strategies for recruitment, engagement, education, and support of the student body. A recurring challenge is the lack of awareness and involvement in existing leadership roles within Student Government. Addressing this requires a deeper understanding of the issue and the development of solutions to increase overall student engagement.

With institutional support, I worked alongside two Graduate Assistants who played a vital role in addressing these challenges. They conducted surveys, facilitate interviews, and led focus groups to better understand the needs and concerns of current student leaders and the broader Boca Raton campus community.

Additionally, the Graduate Assistants supported my role and the Office of Student Activities and Involvement by organizing training sessions, tabling initiatives, and events designed to highlight the impact of Student Government and encourage greater participation from the student body.

As part of my ongoing commitment to cultivating strong, collaborative environments within higher education, I had the privilege of organizing and facilitating a campus-wide Student Government (SG) Advisor Retreat. This day-long training brought together a diverse group of professionals from across FAU’s divisions, including student affairs, health services, facilities, and academic support, to intentionally center the growth and empowerment of those who directly support SG leaders.

The retreat served as both a professional development opportunity and a celebration of the invaluable work our advisors do behind the scenes. I was honored to be recognized for leading efforts that not only supported the advisor community, but also strengthened the overall infrastructure that underpins effective SG operations. By focusing on team-building, shared learning, and cross-departmental collaboration, the retreat helped create a space where SG advisors could align on best practices while feeling seen, valued, and re-energized in their roles.

One of the retreat’s core outcomes was the introduction of new tools and resources designed to streamline advisor workflows, promote consistency across campuses, and enhance student engagement. These included shared planning templates, onboarding guides, and an open forum to ideate future initiatives. More importantly, the retreat initiated a broader culture shift; encouraging SG advisors to view their work not in isolation, but as part of an interconnected network of professionals committed to holistic student success.

By bringing together campus partners to invest in the development of SG advisors, this retreat reinforced a key truth: when we support the people who support our student leaders, we elevate the entire institution.