Office of Special Programs, SOMOS Speaker, New York State Assemblyman Carl Heastie, New York State Assemblyman, With SEEK Students

Events

The United Leaders of CUNY participate in events ranging from pertinent SEEK and CD related events, to self-organized advocacy and community service events. Participation includes:

  • Somos el Futuro
  • Student Leadership Academy
  • Black and Puerto Rican Caucus
  • March for Babies Walk
  • CUNY College Informational Sessions

A community of scholars and leaders from the Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) and College Discovery (CD) programs working together to increase the awareness of the opportunities and resources available to students in the City University of New York; striving to improve student success through civic engagement, active leadership, and community service while strengthening educational and career aspiration achievement.

Purpose

The United Leaders of CUNY (ULC) is a community of scholars and leaders from the Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) & College Discovery (CD) Programs who work together to increase the awareness of the opportunities and resources available to students in the City University of New York. With delegates from each of the 17 CUNY colleges, ULC strives to improve student success through civic engagement and active leadership, while strengthening their educational and career goals. To this end, ULC represents and advocates for students’ rights and believe that together students can overcome the challenges that may come their way as scholars and lifelong learners.

History

For some time, the Office of Special programs sought to create a student organization that brings together SEEK and CD students across the University. During several Student Leadership Academy (SLA) conferences, students shared a similar idea of creating a group that would unite SEEK and CD students from all CUNY schools in an effort to assist them with navigating student life challenges. Fortunately, the student sentiments and the overarching OSP goals aligned seamlessly. On May 12, 2012, SLA participants and other student supporters from different schools convened for their first meeting to create a purpose for the group and establish the executive board. Cheryl N. Williams, the University Dean of Special Programs at the time, took note of students’ enthusiasm and led the development process for the foundation of this group. OSP later received a HESC grant and hired a grass roots organizer to oversee student activities and help guide them in establishing an intercampus student organization. The group’s passion continued to flourish and the United Leaders of CUNY (ULC) officially launched November 30, 2012.

What We Do

  • Advocate on behalf of SEEK and CD students to local, state, and CUNY policymakers
  • Outreach and volunteer doing community service
  • Leadership development for SEEK and College Discovery students
  • Promote student success

Eligibility

Selected students should demonstrate leadership potential. The Student Leadership Academy is open to SEEK/CD students 18 years of age or older who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA;
  • Passed all CUNY skills tests;
  • Completed a minimum of 2 semesters by the end of the Spring semester;
  • Completed a minimum of 20 equated credits and no more than 45 credits (at the Community Colleges) or 60 credits (at the Senior Colleges) by the end of the Spring semester prior to attendance;
  • Attend the mandatory Pre-Conference Workshop.

ULC Leadership

Chairperson
Mohammad Diakite
(NYC College of Technology)

Vice Chair, Event Planning
Elizabeth Falquez
(NYC College of Technology)

Vice Chair, SEEK Affairs
Joshua Rivera (Queens College)
Cristina Rojas (John Jay College)

Vice Chair, Fiscal Affairs
Laye Oumar Koulibaly
(NYC College of Technology)

Vice Chair, College Discovery Affairs
Dana Gascot
(Queensborough Community College)

Vice Chair, Student Success
Richard Guerra
(Queensborough Community College)

Vice Chair, Public Relations
Javier Diaz
(NYC College of Technology)

Vice Chair, Legislative Affairs
Janielle Moye
(Queens College)

Vice Chair, Ethics
Eugene Manu
(Lehman College)

Student Leadership Academy (SLA)

The Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) and the College Discovery (CD) programs offer SEEK and CD scholars and leaders an opportunity to participate in an annual June Student Leadership Academy (SLA) Conference.

The mission of the Student Leadership Academy (SLA) is to promote leadership development and prepare academically successful students for on-campus and community leadership positions during their college experience (including active involvement working with the United Leaders of CUNY, and later in life beyond graduation. Students who have demonstrated leadership potential are given an opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program of structured and informal trainings, activities, and experiences.

What is student leadership? Student leadership is the ability to:

  • Apply organizational and time management skills to facilitate personal development;
  • Communicate effectively and behave appropriately in academic, professional, and social situations;
  • Influence and lead others.

The vision of the Student Leadership Academy is to help students successfully navigate social and professional environments through the development of skills in:

  • Problem solving
  • Team building
  • Self-management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Social and professional etiquette
  • Advocacy
  • Social and professional networking
  • Public speaking

SEEK/CD Student Leadership Academy Activities:

  • Participation/Attendance in the Pre-Conference Workshop to:
  • Acquire an overview of the Student Leadership Academy;
  • Receive a foundational understanding of leadership; and
  • Interact with other SLA candidates.
  • Attendance at the Annual 3-day SLA Conference;
  • Development of group projects to increase participation in student leadership activities on and across CUNY campuses;
  • Post-Conference Reunion and Forum to:
  • share student feedback and experiences from the SLA conference;
  • follow-up on conference team projects; and
  • hone leadership skills;
  • Participation in campus SEEK/CD activities to share SLA experience and learnings.

Student Responsibilities:

Student Leadership Academy (SLA) alumni are expected to apply what they learn during the three-day conference to their involvement in their campus, inter-campus, and community leadership activities. Student responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Be active participants in their respective SEEK/CD clubs and programs;
  • Become involved in the activities of the United Leaders of CUNY (ULC) SEEK/CD Student Organization;
  • Promote the mission of the Student Leadership Academy by sharing the leadership skills they learn with their peers and identifying future SLA participants;
  • Promote the involvement and participation of their fellow SEEK/CD students in their campus, cross-campus, and community activities;
  • Attend student leadership meetings during the academic year.