Every month, a University of Tampa student leader is nominated and selected for the
Student Leader of the Month (SLOM). Any student can submit a name of who they believe is a student leader. The President’s Leadership Fellows, comprised of about 100 student leaders, and the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement look to recognize a student in the UT community. According to the SLOM website, these leaders must have “exemplary leadership traits, go above and beyond to contribute to the UT community, serve as a role model to other students and display a high sense of personal responsibilities and morals.” All nominees receive recognition for their entries. The winner gets a letter from President Vaughn, an award certificate and the choice to have lunch at Panache with either the Dean of Students or the dean of their college of study. For the month of October, the SLOM was Samantha Pelletier.
Pelletier is a sophomore studying psychology and art with hopes to be an art therapist.
She was nominated for her display of leadership with PEACE. Pelletier works at the PEACE Volunteer Center as a Volunteer Coordinator and also is the president of Spartans in Service. Spartans in Service was formally known as PEACE Club. “Spartans in Service is a student organization made up of members who are actively committed to making our community a better place through volunteer service,” she said, “We also try to educate members as well as others on current social issues in the UT and Tampa community.” Pelletier, along with two other PEACE members, reorganized this club to allow more students looking to be involved in service. She is involved in planning and organizing service events through these organizations and isn’t afraid to lend a helping hand in taking on additional responsibilities.
Pelletier actively fulfills her leadership role by getting others engaged in the events that they are participating in or getting them to participate. According to the SLOM committee, “She serves as a role model for those around her through her volunteer service, involvement in the UT community, devotion to academics, professionalism and personal areas of life.” Pelletier believes that a good leader should be “knowledgeable about the task at hand, communicate effectively and be adaptable when faced with new challenges.” She also says that time management and a friendly attitude is important for leaders. “I think taking on Spartans in Service and the job as a PEACE Volunteer Coordinator has given me lots of great leadership experience,” she said. Through this experience, Pelletier says she learned to communicate and engage effectively with her peers. “I try to build a sense of community and friendship within the groups I’m working with,” she said. “I also like to be resource for students whether it involve volunteering, academic, or personal things.”
Know of a student who fulfills their leadership position? Nominate them for Student Leader of the Month. Go to the UT website and do a search for “Student Leader of the Month” to submit a form available the first of every month. The due date for the applications is the last Friday of each month. For November, fill out those applications before
Thanksgiving break! Any questions, comments, or concerns, e-mail the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at studentengagement@ut.edu.