Students learn to lead
Sussex is helping produce the leaders of tomorrow, having given 27 students the opportunity to take part in a challenging new leadership programme: ‘Learning to Lead’. The Careers and Employability Centre teamed up with international management-training consultancy Clemorton to pilot the programme, which introduced the students to the themes of leadership and policy development.
The week-long programme used a mixture of group and individual exercises, role play and experiential learning. Topics included team-working, decision-making and understanding change management.
The students also had the opportunity to meet with Sussex alumni and academic leaders to work on a ‘think-tank’ policy proposal linked to one of the six University of Sussex research themes. Each team of students presented its policy proposal to a panel of academic leaders chaired by Professor Bob Allison, Professor Jo Boaler and Dr Jim Watson.
The Learning to Lead programme is part of the Sussex Plus initiative, helping students to develop their skills and employability. It has been made possible by the generosity of Sussex alumni contributing to the Sussex Fund and the work of the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
New student life centre opens
September 2010 saw the opening of the new Student Life Centre on the ground floor of Chichester 1. It operates as a ‘one stop shop’ for enquiries – students can make an appointment to see a student life advisor, or simply drop in while they’re on campus. There is an extensive website offering information and guidance on a range of issues. The Centre is also making the most of technology, using texting, Twitter and the SussexMobile app to keep in touch with students.
The student life team provides general student information, advice and guidance; general money advice; and specialist advice in relation to hardship funds, scholarships and bursaries and non-UK student-finance schemes. There is also a dedicated health and well-being advisor for students with more personal issues.