Graduates should have the ability to “break the mold” in devising solutions to problems. Specifically, graduates should be able to:
- devise creative solutions to complex problems;
- utilize multiple resources in designing programs and policies;
- articulate a vision and marshal support for its pursuit.
Special Events Coordinator Position
As Programs Manager, I oversee the planning of events at an on campus venue called the Barn. Since I have been employed, the popularity of the Barn has increased and become a popular hang out for students and the Riverside community. Last year, I was responsible for executing programs at the Barn that at times served 300 people. I decided to enlist student volunteers who would be interested in working at these Barn events. I realized that in order to keep up with the growth and popularity of these programs there would have to be a paid student position. As a result, I created a job description and solicited approval for three student positions to help execute events at the Barn. Student involvement (Astin, 1999) has been known to positively impact the college experience. Click here to see the Special Events Coordinator position description.
 | Barn Event Series Towards the end of fall quarter 2008, I was given an additional responsibility of planning Thursday night events at the Barn. Taking on this responsibility meant that I would have to create a budget for Thursday night events and work with the resources that were currently available to me. I decided to use the previous Thursday night model of having student organizations host their events at the Barn. I added a strict requirement that these organizations must submit proof of 3 forms of advertisement at least 2 weeks prior to their event. The costs for these programs are kept low because I utilize the sound equipment from the three residence halls. Thursday night Barn events have shown a significant increase in attendance and student organization involvement. Click here to view list of Thursday night programs.
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Athletics Liason "Leaders must expand their competencies from simply getting results to adding value through collaboration" (Cashman, 2008). When I first began working at UC Riverside, attendance at Basketball games had been historically low and I was given the task of promoting games for the residential students. Instead of doing this all by myself, I reached out to the the Marketing Director of Athletics to see what they were currently doing to advertise games to students. We meet and put together a marketing plan for the Basketball games which included posters in each hall, booklets of all the upcoming games, commercials on RHA TV, and occassional giveaways at each game. Additionally, I organized a meeting with the Marketing Director of Athletics and the residence hall student staff so the director could get the students' perspective of the type of incentives that would entice other students to attend. Through this marketing initiative and through the efforts of our winning basketball team, the attendance for games increased. Our relationship with the athletics department has also grown and more collaborative initiatives have resulted. |  |
