Leaders of Social Change trip leaves great impact

Leaders of Social Change (LOSC) is a five-day trip organized by the Leadership and Community Connections unit of the Dean of Students Office. The program explores a wide variety of social issues, movements, ethnic identities, and historic leaders through the lens of the social change model of leadership development.

This year, the trip was held during the week of January 9–14 in Detroit, Michigan. The trip included touring the Saginaw Indian Reservation and a variety of museums. One museum of particular interest was the only Arab American museum in the nation, which also included a discussion of Islamophobia among the LOSC participants.

Not only did the trip include examining social issues occurring in Michigan, but students also engaged in educated discussion of national events. After these discussions that occurred throughout the trip, students were inspired to participate in the Women’s March movement as well as Inauguration activities.

Junior early childhood education major Tia Dunlap was a student facilitator who had a meaningful trip experience.

“As a trip facilitator, I was able to lead a group of students and develop close relationships with them,” Dunlap said. “One of my favorite parts of the trip was developing these relationships, and creating a comfortable environment for other students to share their opinions on societal issues.”

Samia Cooperider, graduate assistant for Leadership and Community Connections, also reflected on the impact the trip had on the students she advised.

“I enjoyed watching the students grow from day one until the end of the week, going from being uncomfortable to engaging in social justice conversations,” she said.

For more information about LOSC, contact Leadership and Community Connections at (309) 438-7346 or visit their office in the Student Services Building Room 130.