Charlotte’s Leadership & Community Engagement Office: A New Chapter Begins
As the winter chill settles into the Queen City, most folks are cozying up indoors while looking out at a forecast that promises mostly cloudy skies with a chance of snow flurries! With temperatures dipping to a brisk 24 degrees Fahrenheit overnight and a 60% chance of snow, it’s bound to be a chillier night for the residents. But while people are gearing up for the cold weather, there’s excitement brewing over at the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) for a different reason!
How Leadership & Community Engagement is Stepping Up
Following the recent shake-up in the university’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices, the Leadership & Community Engagement (LCE) office is of one the main programs left standing and making waves across campus! Once just a small initiative known as the Center for Leadership Development, the LCE office has transformed significantly since 2017. Under the guidance of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Kevin Bailey, big changes have been brought to life, aligning the office with the university’s broader goals.
Now, the LCE offers 12 unique programs designed to help students boost their leadership skills through mentorship, community engagement, and hands-on experiences. “We want students to enhance their skill sets, so we offer paths like becoming a peer mentor or moving into more advanced roles like student directors,” explained Michael Maksymowski, the associate director of LCE. Sounds like a game plan for students ready to dive into real-world experiences!
Meet the New Director, Ysatiz Piñero
Fans of the LCE will be happy to know that a fresh face has stepped up to lead this office. Ysatiz Piñero, who took charge over the summer, is committed to bringing about a renaissance to the LCE initiatives. According to Piñero, the office aims to equip students with the transferable skills they’ll need when they finally step into the workforce. “We’re all about helping students create connections across the campus while developing vital skills,” she shared. “Whether you’re just starting or looking to dive deeper, we have something tailored for everyone!”
With Piñero taking over during the DEI transition, she’s determined to not only keep the momentum going but also to innovate! “Just because things have been done a certain way doesn’t mean we can’t try new tactics!” Piñero expressed. It looks like under her leadership, we can expect nothing less than growth and adaptation.
Big Plans for the Future
What can we expect moving forward from the LCE office? Piñero has a few exciting plans up her sleeve. She’s hoping to introduce a new civic engagement course within the year, as well as expand foundational programs like the Executive Leadership Program to cater to graduate and nontraditional students. Piñero remarked, “We’re eager to build out those academic certificate programs, and we want to create rich experiential learning opportunities.”
As students gear up for end-of-semester activities, the LCE office stands ready to make impacts that resonate far beyond the classroom. According to Bailey, the shift in DEI funding has now focused squarely on supporting student success, and LCE will be one of the major players in that narrative. “We see the value in mentorship, and programs like SAFE are pivotal to our engagement strategy,” he said.
Wrapping Up
As Charlotte braces for the cold and flurries this week, the LCE office is warming hearts with its commitment to developing future leaders. With new leadership steering the ship and a wealth of programs on offer, students have a unique opportunity to step out, connect, and grow in ways they might have never imagined. So, while the snowflakes fall outside, inside the Popp Martin Student Union, there’s a flurry of excitement— and it’s all about growth, connection, and leadership!
