Students traveled to New York City December 13–18 to participate in the Leaders of Social Change (LOSC) trip, organized by Leadership and Community Connections. During the five-day trip, students toured significant sites, participated in a community service project, and listened to guest speakers and activists. Students were challenged to define what leadership and social justice means to them personally and get to know others with similar passions and values.
Joshua Battles, a trip participant, benefited greatly from this experience. Through service projects, team-bonding activities, and discussing important topics in society, he learned more about different cultures. While examining leadership through a social justice lens, Battles said he “learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
LOSC created opportunities for students to get politically, socially, and individually prepared to make a positive difference in the world. “It is opportunities like this that can substantially benefit you in your everyday life,” Battles said. “This trip has changed my life.”
For more information about leadership trips and other opportunities, contact Leadership and Community Connections at (309) 438-7346.
Marie Huels contributed to this article.
