Lock Haven University students who attended the Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute include, from left: Jelani Washington-Crum, Wesley Brown, Tim Mack, Ashley Jones, Clarissa Irizarry, Aja Mack, Latoya Ellis, Walter Brown (front), Raymond Roy (back), Ronesha Smith, Paulette Davidson, Naja Thompson and Thiriat Thanomsing.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University understands the importance of developing leadership skills. As in previous years, LHU played a major role at the Pennsylvania Black Conference of Higher Education’s annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute, now in its 21st year.

Held in Altoona earlier this month, the event drew college students from all of the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools. The institute sees regular participation from 35 schools across the commonwealth, including the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University. On average, around 150 to 175 students attend the conference, according to Albert Jones, LHU’s director of Social Equity who directed this year’s institute.

“The purpose is to take students from their respective college campuses and bring them together to promote leadership and motivate them to be successful,” Jones said.

The students are typically in their sophomore and junior years, Jones said, which is key as they’ve already become familiar with their campuses but still have an opportunity to share what they’ve learned and to become more involved in campus leadership prior to graduation.

“We look to them to become the president of a student organization, to serve on an advisory committee or get involved in student government,” Jones said.

Faculty presenters from a variety of disciplines offer workshops on technology, conflict resolution, communication and organizational skills and other issues relevant to leadership. Around a dozen faculty and staff representatives from LHU conducted workshops this year, joining other presenters from throughout Pennsylvania. The keynote speaker was Dr. Judith Thomas, dean of the School of Social Science & Behavioral Studies at Lincoln University, and the featured speaker was Sylvia Stanfield, former U.S. Ambassador to Brunei.

“Students also had a chance to network with one another and compare notes about activities at their respective campuses,” Jones said.

Each year, participants select the Outstanding Student Leader. LHU’s Raymond Roy was this year’s recipient, Jones noted.

“To be selected for this honor, the recipient has to be a person of outstanding character,” Jones said. “He had to be chosen by a committee after demonstrating leadership traits and abilities.”

LHU students Paulette Davidson and Clarissa Irizarry also served as student leaders at the institute, Jones noted.

The institute is named for Dr. Robert D. Lynch, emeritus director of Social Equity at LHU, who Jones credits as his mentor.