CU-Lock Haven students celebrate completion of Haven Leadership Program

Members of the Haven Leadership Program at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven celebrated the completion of the program and presented their "passion project" to members of the Lock Haven Administration on Wednesday, April 24.

The passion project tasks students with identifying a need on campus and proposing a solution to the problem. The team proposed that the school provide haircuts to students on campus through a program called "Haven Haircuts." Utilizing existing space on campus, it was recommended that offering haircuts to students could lessen their stress, provide a safe, inclusive environment and meet one of their basic needs.

In addition to the passion project, the aspiring leaders gave back to the Lock Haven community through service work. Some of the service projects include the Haven Cupboard, the Earth Day campus clean-up and a fundraising event for The Janet Weis Children's Hospital with the Circle K Club. After the program, certificates were awarded to the graduates and they were celebrated with a potluck dinner.

Haven Leadership is a program designed to help students become better leaders and is led by Taylor Tyczka, program coordinator, and Benjamin Phillippi, student mentor. Students have the opportunity to learn more about themselves and work on personal development through the program.

"We believe that to be a great leader of peers, you first have to understand yourself," Tyczka said. During their time in the program, students learn and practice skills they can use for the rest of their lives through workshops and presentations. Haven Leadership helps prepare students for the future - whether continuing their education or entering the workforce."

Haven Leadership is a two-semester-long program. The first semester, Bronze, teaches students about themselves and how their core values influence their leadership styles. The second semester, Silver, delves into the specifics of being a leader on campus and in the workforce by incorporating seminars from career development, counseling services and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals on campus. The Haven Leadership Program Gold celebration is held at the completion of the program.