As part of its mission to support and enhance the educational opportunities for California’s young people, UC Merced has engaged in a number of projects that reach out to high school students in the San Joaquin Valley. Last month, the Associated Students of UC Merced hosted its second You See Leaders Conference.
“You See Leaders is a high school leadership program where we invite local high school students to campus for a day and try to immerse them in the college experience,” said Keith Ellis, a political sciences major and You See Leaders chair. “My hope is that these students obtain some goals of some kind — either short term or long term.”
During the conference, UC Merced students, faculty and staff and community members spoke to area high school students who came looking to improve their leadership skills.
“I strive to be a leader and I would like to be a leader,” said Chevas Clements Jr., a senior at Merced High School. “So anything that could help me in terms of that, I’m definitely down for.”
UC Merced students who attended the Latino Leadership Initiative at Harvard last summer shared valuable leadership and networking tips that have led to their success.
“I see the possibility of them working with other students in their high schools to create some type of positive change,” said Charles Nies, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, adding that the conference could create synergy between the students in attendance that could make an impact on the local community.
Brenda Ortiz
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