The Jacksonville University chapter of the NSLS recently received the Founder's List award, reserved for chapters who complete eight of 10 pillars designed to maintain the success of the chapter.
As of 2019, the JU chapter hosted two orientations, two leadership training sessions, three speaker broadcasts, and one induction ceremony, as well as sending two chapter leaders to the Regional Leadership Retreat, inviting qualified potential members, improving member communications, and hosting two community service events.
The chapter is led by five highly-active student leaders and boasts a 40 percent success rate in recruiting new members each fall semester.
The impact of the chapter has been felt by many students, including junior Heidi Lopez, who also serves as the chapter's Publicity Chair.
“At first, I was very uncomfortable in any type of leadership position. I lacked the confidence,” Lopez told The Wave. “Joining the NSLS gave me real life leadership experience and pushed me outside my comfort zone.
"I started a Design Student Association at JU in Fall 2018," she continued. "Other students can now have the resources and support that I didn’t have myself. I believed in myself, started the association from scratch, and I am very proud to see it become a reality.”
To read more about the Jacksonville University chapter, click here.