A&M International Students Part of Historic South Texas A&M Student Leadership Confab

Thirty Texas A&M International University students will meet with their counterparts from other south Texas A&M System campuses for a two-day leadership conference in Corpus Christi May 14-16.

The South Texas A&M Student Leadership Conference marks an historic first for the south Texas campuses in the A&M System, said Dr. M. Stephen Brown, Dean of Student Affairs at Texas A&M International University.

"This is a project that we have discussed for nearly a year that will see our University students meet with their counterparts to share a rare positive leadership experience. Our plans are to expand the conference and make it an annual event that rotates from campus to campus," Dr. Brown said.

Brown said that such conferences help to underscore the University's commitment to augmenting superior classroom education by exposing students to additional learning opportunities not conventionally available to most students.

"Conferences like this one provide our University students with an opportunity to nurture and develop skills that will help to inform their lives and future careers. We think this enhances their classroom preparation and betters equips them for the real challenges of a changing world. These are our future leaders and we'd best provide them with opportunities to develop those skills," Brown said.

A&M International Director of Student Development David VerMilyea and Associate Director Gabriela Mendoza will serve as coordinators and presenters for the meeting which is expected to attract over 100 students from campuses including A&M International, Texas A&M University- Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Topics to be presented at the Conference will include "Inspiring Motivation Among Your Members," "The Art of Resolving Conflict," "The Art Of Effective Listening," "Ethics," " Goal Setting," "Smooth Transitions In Leadership," "Recruitment For Student Organizations," "Working With Diverse Groups," "Values Clarification" and "How To Plan A Leadership Retreat."

The students attending will represent various student clubs and organizations and include: Spyros Charalambous, Hans Walter Bonner, Muzaffar Hussain, Raje Guntnur and Hassan Mousaid, Association of International Students; Sandra Ballesteros, Maggie Medrano and Gabby Cavazos, Ballet Folklorico; Sandra Martinez, Drama Club; Sandra Benavides, Luz Leal, International Business Association; Juan Jose Gonzalez, Laura L. Gonzalez, Victor G. Villarreal, Jaime Alvarado, Student Ambassadors.

Also, Margie Colon, Arturo Sanchez III, Alejandra Diaz, Connie Lara, Student Government Association; Selina Rodriguez, Student Reading Council; Jean Louis Egremy, Soccer Club; Joy Edwards, Track and Field Club; Ilych Rodriguez, L.U.C.H.A.; Rosanna Garza, Progressive Alliance; Alma Cuellar, Student Systems Group; Felipe Coronado, Orientation Leader and Diana M. Pena, History Club.

For additional information on the South Texas A&M Student Leadership Conference, please contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at 326 -2275 or visit offices located in the Killam Library, Room 160.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu