Stress and Struggles within Student Leadership

By H. Thatcher

Student leaders are struggling to sustain their clubs due to declining student engagement, limited resources, and communication challenges.

Many student leaders shared that they are looking for more consistent support from Hood administrators.

Alix Parks, president of the Feminist Student Union, said, “We have had very little communication with administrators who are meant to support our club.”

There are 24 active clubs on campus. This semester, 300 club events have been hosted- less than half of the 628 events held last spring.

Rachel Miller, president of the Student Social Work Organization and Student Government Association’s Student Life chair, said interest in clubs was strong at fall orientation, but several factors limited the clubs’ ability to engage with students.

The majority of clubs did not receive their budgets until mid-October. “When budgets were sent out, they had decreased significantly,” Parks said.

“I think that if we had received official communication, actual supports, and sincere apologies, I would feel a lot better about how I am seen as a leader here at the college,” Parks said.

Money has not been the only factor contributing to increased stress for student leaders. The college started using a new app, Navigate360, this semester to replace Pergola Connect after Beacon stopped being supported as an application.

“Engagement has definitely shifted with the change,” said Natanie Kosh, vice president of social and community affairs of Black Student Union, 2027 class president and the Student Government Association’s Campus Safety and Facilities chair.

Kosh said Incoming students have more of a grasp on how Navigate360 works than students who previously relied on Pergola Connect.

Dean of Students Demetrius Johnson said he plans on getting more personally engaged in showing students how to use Navigate360.

Some student leaders said that they worry campus culture is becoming more apathetic, but Johnson disagrees. “I don’t think students are apathetic,” he said. He said he believes students are stressed and have been impacted by having fewer counselors.

Kosh said that the Black Student Union has actively re-enforced the Hood hello by walking up to people and just giving a simple invite to events.

“I have witnessed the need for interaction, belonging, representation, and interest in being involved by the student body,” Kosh said.

Kosh said she feels supported in her many leadership roles. “I am able to network and see my visions through with the help of faculty and the student body on campus,” she said.

But Miller said some students feel stressed leading multiple clubs. “If we felt as though we may be able to only be a leader in one club, maybe campus life could thrive, but that has not been the case, and I do not see this happening anytime soon.”

As student leaders start thinking about next semester, some said they worry about the future of their clubs and are looking for more administrative support.

“They try to listen, but we don’t feel heard,” Miller said. “I believe that if administrators took more effort to not automatically defend their position and instead considered how we feel, we would feel much more supported and seen.”

Director of Student Engagement and Orientation Christine Marconi said she is aware of these concerns and said she is committed to helping leaders through this time of transition.

“Student organizations are the heart of engagement here at Hood, and I hope we can work together to navigate these challenges and continue supporting our student leaders,” Marconi said.

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