Leadership opportunities at BYU–Hawaii extend beyond the classroom, reaching into the workplace through the university’s Leadership Development Team. Created about a year ago by Derek Whetten, resource and improvement manager, the team was established with a clear purpose: to enhance the experience of student employees and help them develop skills that will serve them long after graduation.
Comprised of senior students Jay Ann Dequito, Jechelle Cruz, Kausalya Arumgam, Geiri Gabriel Sulat, and recent graduate Isaiah “Ice” Bala, the Leadership Development Team works closely with departments across campus to provide trainings and programs designed to strengthen student workers both professionally and personally.
Through weekly and monthly trainings, the team collaborates with departments such as the Office of Information Technology, Print Services, Campus Security, Housing Operations, and the Food Services. Their efforts focus not only on improving workplace performance but also on helping students connect their employment experiences to the university’s mission of preparing leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ.
More Than Just a Job
For team members, student employment represents more than just a way to pay tuition or earn income. Instead, they see it as the capstone experience that can prepare students for future careers and leadership opportunities.
“This particular job is for us to help the students have a capstone experience that they can carry with them after they graduate,” said Dequito, a senior majoring in hospitality and tourism management from the Philippines. “We have to think of ways to help students strengthen themselves and carry the mission and vision of the school.”
Many student employees work in positions that may not directly align with their academic majors. According to Sulat, a senior from the Philippines, majoring in business management, the team helps students recognize the value of those experiences and understand how workplace skills can still translate into future opportunities.
“Our team can help you realize that what you do as student workers is more than just paying back your fees or tuition,” Sulat shared. “It’s also a stepping stone for your future career and preparing you for the future roles you will have in your respective communities back home.”
The team’s efforts align closely with BYU–Hawaii’s mission of preparing students from Asia, the Pacific, and beyond to return home and serve as leaders in their communities.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Together
The Leadership Development Team develops its programs based on feedback gathered from student employees across campus. By identifying areas where students want additional support, the team creates trainings that address both technical and leadership skills.
“We create our trainings based on the feedback given to us from our students, wanting to give them the option to develop into leaders,” said Cruz, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management and hospitality and tourism management.
This summer, the team plans to offer programs focused on topics such as process improvement and project management. Sulat is currently preparing a training on process improvement for student leads and employees, while other team members continue developing workshops designed to strengthen workplace effectiveness.
The trainings also provide opportunities for the team members themselves to grow. Cruz said facilitating workshops has improved her public speaking skills and taught her how to empower others. Dequito added that serving on the team has significantly increased her confidence while allowing her to collaborate with departments across campus.
“We are like the tools to help the Operations around the school grow,” Dequito said. “We care about the students, and we are a resource for them.”
Equipping Students for Success
For Arumgam, a senior from India majoring in communication, media, and culture, the ultimate goal is to help students leave BYU–Hawaii prepared for the future. Drawing on nearly three years of experience as a student lead in the Banyan Dining Hall bakery, she understands the challenges and opportunities student employment can offer.
“We help around fifty student workers a training, and each time, we want to help them gain knowledge in their endeavors here so they can take it with them after walking that graduation stage and say to the world, ‘I’m ready to face you.’” explained Arumgam.
The team’s diverse backgrounds also contribute to the effectiveness of their programs. Arumgam explained that each member brings unique perspectives and experiences, allowing them to better understand and support the needs of student employees throughout campus.
As the Leadership Development Team continues to expand its offerings, its members hope more students will take advantage of the opportunities available to them. Through leadership development, workplace training, and personal growth, the team seeks to ensure that every student employee leaves BYU–Hawaii with skills and experiences that will benefit them long after graduation.
“Our time here is precious,” Dequito said. “We shouldn’t wait and make it meaningful by taking action.”
