Over 125 join AUS Emerging Leaders Program

Peer leaders at American University of Sharjah (AUS) took an active role during the new student orientation week held recently and recruited over 125 freshmen into the Emerging Leaders Program.

The program introduces new students to the Student Leadership Program (SLP). It helps them connect with campus life and encourages them to get involved in college activities. Peer leaders "adopt" new students and encourage them to begin thinking about the leadership opportunities at AUS by enrolling them in the Emerging Leaders Program.

"The effectiveness of peer led groups is unquestionable and we feel they are a very important component of university life," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. "Using a friendly approach, the peer leaders work hard to assist new students to create a positive, social and intellectual climate and, in return, develop their interpersonal skills and teach them the importance of working as a community by assisting one another. We encourage freshmen to take advantage of the Emerging Leaders Program and get involved from the beginning for an interactive and hands-on experience."

"I've learned that it takes true devotion and profound passion to reach out to new students," said Nour Al-Ali, a peer leader majoring in mass communication. "They need to be reassured that there are others who have been through the freshman phase and can help them get through it smoothly."

Through the academic year, the SLP plans to organize a series of events focusing on leadership development for the Emerging Leaders Program, with the first one to be held in mid-October 2011.