Emerging Leaders Program

Being a leader takes more than ambition and raw talent. Learn the skills required to lead in your academic, personal, and professional career by joining the next group of Queensborough Emerging Leaders. Building leadership skills not only increases self-confidence, but also opens doors to new friendships and offers outstanding opportunities to engage with the community. Benefits to participating in the Queensborough Emerging Leaders Program includes:

• Learning how to build and manage successful Teams.
• Building self-confidence by sharpening your ability to analyze and overcome challenges.
• Collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds to share and develop ideas.
• Networking with people you can learn from and partner with to accomplish your goals.
• Establishing and encouraging inclusiveness and diversity.

As an Emerging Leaders Team Member, your experience will feature a total of five Saturday Sessions in the Fall semester. Examples of past Workshops include:

• Build Your Resume for Success: Learn How Student Life Can Make All the Difference.
• Networking Etiquette 101.
• Time Management Tools for Future Leaders.

In addition, several Activities and Clubs are offered where your newly acquired leadership skills may be applied:

• M.A.L.E.S. (Men Achieving and Leading in Excellence and Success).
• Student Government Association (SGA).
• Leadership Weekend.
• Communiqué Student Newspaper.

Meet Emerging Leaders Graduates

Mariya Karisa Picache emigrated to the United States from the Philippines three years ago. She attended High School in Queens where she was active in the Student Government and upon Graduation from High School she enrolled in Queensborough Community College in the Fall of 2014 in the Health and Related Sciences Program. Mariya’s courses are rigorous and, initially, her daily routine consisted of going to classes and returning home to study, without much time to meet new people and explore activities on Campus. Then, in her second semester she learned of Queensborough’s Emerging Leaders Program. “I joined and became involved on Campus almost right away,” said Mariya, who has been elected Programming Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA) for the Academic Year 2015-16. Mariya is taking prerequisite courses for Queensborough Community College's Nursing Program and plans to pursue a career as a Pediatric Nurse. She added, "I wouldn’t be the confident person I am today without this Program."

"I wouldn’t be the confident person I am today without this Program."
—Mariya Karisa Picache

Sterio Nika, Class of 2015, said that the Emerging Leadership Program "gave me the opportunity to grow and express myself in a safe environment." Sterio, who graduated with an Associate in Science Degree (A.S.), will continue his academic career at CUNY’s Baccalaureate (CUNY BA) Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies where he has created his own degree plan in Media Management.

"The Program gave me the opportunity to grow and express myself in a safe environment."
—Sterio Nika

Giancarlos Llanos-Romero, Class of 2015, Graduated from Queensborough in January 2015 with an Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). He will enroll at Stony Brook University in the Fall of 2015 where he will major in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Nanotechnology. "This Program shaped my leadership skills which translated into the classroom and helped me become a successful student."

Kaynat Shahzad, originally from Pakistan, Kaynat enrolled in Queensborough Community College in the Spring of 2014 to Major in Health Related Sciences. "This Program has been a platform for me to expand both my academic and professional potential. I realize that, like me, everyone has leadership qualities." Kaynat plans to Graduate in January 2016 and continue her education in order to pursue Dentistry as a career.

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) was integral in preparing me for a leadership role in Student Government. After my completion of the ELP, I joined the M.A.L.E.S. Initiative and soon became Student Club President. In this role I help provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the fields they choose to pursue.

The leadership skills I learned in the Workshops provided by the ELP continue to further my desire to work with fellow students, Staff and Faculty. These skills were applied while interning for the New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (NYPIRG) and helped me to become President of the 2015-2016 Student Government Association at Queensborough Community College.

Ricky Panayoty
President, Student Government Association