On July 19, 2012, over 380 student leaders, sponsors, and deans of student services gathered for the Eleventh Annual Student Leadership Institute (SLI). This gathering of student leaders is sponsored by the Alabama Deans of Student Affairs Association (ADSAA) and was hosted this year by Northeast Alabama Community College. Activities took place on the College campus and at Goose Pond Colony Convention Center. Dean Tonie Niblett of Northeast served as chairperson of the 2012 SLI. The theme of the event was Gifts of Leadership: Unwrapping Your Greatness. The beautiful surroundings of the walking trail and pond at Northeast served as the perfect place to begin the Institute with a picnic by the pond.

 
According to Joan Reeves, Director of Student Activities at Northeast, “Northeast had twenty-four student leaders attending SLI.  These students pictured below were leaders from NACC’s Student Government Association (SGA), Sigma Kappa Delta, Mu Alpha Theta, Phi Theta Kappa, Skills USA , and Presidential Hosts. This was a chance for Northeast students not only to meet leaders from other two-year colleges but to get to know each other as well. We especially want to thank Winnie Yates from NACC’s Student Services Department for her tireless work in designing, creating, and organizing all of the materials for the two-day meeting. ”

Ms Reeves indicated that this is the first time for Northeast to host SLI. She felt that the consensus of opinion of those attending was that NACC was a gracious and hospitable host and that the College staff did a wonderful job of preparing for the student leaders.
Dean Niblett, who has been a member of the SLI Committee for three years,  stated, “During the SLI sessions, students were able to explore the dynamics of leadership through understanding personal talents as well as the talents of others in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The Alabama Deans of Student Affairs Association consider SLI the most important work of the association.”

Greg Millican, Division Director for Mathematics, Joan Reeves, and Tonie Niblett conducted the preliminaries for 2012 SLI which included a college roll call cheer.  Keith Brown, the Motivator of the Millennium, and his staff presented sessions on the Gifts of Leadership: Encouragement, Service, Inspiration, and Motivation.  Mr. Brown and his staff used music, dramatic presentations, PowerPoint™, testimonials, and dance to help the students to become better leaders in a very interactive way.

Dr. Tomessa Smith, Executive Vice President at Wallace State Community College-Hanceville and President of ADSAA stated, “ SLI was an amazing experience for our students!  Northeast’s staff and facilities were top notch. This Student Leadership Institute was one of the most memorable on record and succeeded in providing our students with an opportunity to learn, lead, and grow.”

Each year the host college selects a community service project that is beneficial to the host’s community. In keeping with the Theme of Gifts of Leadership the 2012 SLI project was for each student leader to bring a new toy or other gift for the Upper Sand Mountain Parish to distribute to needy children at Christmas time.

Dr. David Campbell, President of Northeast, commented, “We are so glad to be able to host Alabama’s two-year college leaders for the 2012 SLI. These students will be responsible for leading our student organizations during the coming year.  Since I was able to participate in the activities first-hand, I realize what an important work that the ADSAA does in sponsoring this event.”
Addressing Dr. Campbell’s involvement, Dr. Brenda Kennedy, Dean at Faulkner State Community College stated,”   Indeed, President Campbell’s active participation underscored the importance and significance of the event.  His heartfelt words of welcome, followed by his fitting address on the second day of the Institute, bore witness to his Gifts of Leadership.

For more information about SLI, contact Niblett at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ext. 2325 at 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001. Go to www.nacc.edu for more college information, or download our free App at the Apple App Store or by going to www.naccmobile.com.

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