PNC group learns about leadership

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From left: Kara Moon, Janelle Taylor, Greg Mohlke, Katie Hines and Alexis Lange are members of the Dean's Leadership Group at Purdue University North Central in Westville, Ind. | Photo Provided

Updated: March 4, 2012 8:08AM

On any given day, members of the Dean’s Leadership Group at Purdue University North Central can be found planning or taking part in an event on campus or in the community.

DLG is dedicated to leadership and volunteerism at PNC and in the community. Students must apply for membership based on their academic backgrounds, record of volunteerism and accomplishment, and their intent to take on leadership roles as students and after graduating from PNC.

Once accepted, each student is required to volunteer 50 hours per semester. A scholarship also is included.

DLG members take part in a noncredit, semester-long Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar led by PNC Chancellor James B. Dworkin. The seminar meets once a week and features a variety of guest speakers who leadership issues.

There are about 50 DLG members. They say their involvement and personal commitment to leadership and volunteerism extends far beyond their initial desire to be involved in their campus and community.

“I’ve found that being a leader means taking the extra step to give something of yourself,” said Janelle Taylor, an elementary education major from LaPorte and a DLG co-president.

Freshman Alexis Lange of Valparaiso got involved on campus during the first few weeks of class.

“There are so many benefits to volunteering and helping out,” she said. “There are so many opportunities. I’ve learned about what it takes to be a leader, and I’ve learned a lot about myself, too.”

Sometimes, their leadership lessons come in a more subtle form, when individual DLG members take on projects.

“You really learn what it takes to complete a project from start to finish,” said Kara Moon, a business major from Morgan Township.

Moon said the key lessons she learned as a project leader was to make sure planning gets started on time and that there always seems to be more involved than initially meets the eye.

“A good leader must be comfortable taking on responsibility,” said Greg Mohlke, an elementary education major from Wanatah and DLG secretary-treasurer. “It also means that you don’t take on more than you can do.”

Mohkle was one of the students who helped plan the PNC Haunted Trail in October.

“It was the most difficult thing we’ve done,” he said. “So many things had to come together.”

An unforeseen rainy week forced cancellation of one key night.

Despite that, Mohkle said, “It exceeded our expectations.”

Each student is required to take the lead on a project during the year. Their projects have included the Haunted Trail, a coat drive and a variety of children’s parties.

They also helped plan activities for Spirit Week, Pride Week and orientation.

They’ve traveled to meetings and seminars and met the governor at a book signing.

“I’ve been exposed to so many things that I would never have been able to do otherwise,” Lange said.

The students admitted taking the lead on a project seemed daunting at first, but they learned to take it step by step and do what a good leader should do — enlist the aid of trusted volunteers.

“Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can build from there,” said Katie Hines, DLG co-president and a graduate of Washington Township High School.

They also found they’re now volunteering to take on leadership roles because they enjoy it.

“After you get into your first project, you realize you are involved because that is what you want to do. Mohlke said. “The only way to learn is by doing it.”

DLG members also found that thanks to their campus involvement, they’ve met countless students and are comfortable dealing with faculty and staff members.

“I came here not really knowing anyone, but now I know someone in every class I walk in to,” Mohkle said.

Added Hines: “Knowing people and understanding how things work on campus makes being in college less scary. I have a lot more confidence now.”

Moon said: “Getting involved, having friends, is part of the college experience. PNC has a lot to offer; people need to check it out.”