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| Left to Right: Ashley Best, Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership Development; Karlene Thompson, Director of Student Life and Leadership Development; Kapreka Booker, Coordinator of Student Activities and Program Development; and Richard Parker Jr. Coordinator of Community Relations and Civic Engagement. |
Our Vision, Mission & Core Values
The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development is designed to facilitate the development of students, and to hone their personal and organizational leadership skills by providing opportunities for participation in co-curricular, cultural, social, civic, community and wellness programs. We see our students as our highest priority, and as leaders with integrity, intellect, and vision who will effect positive change in today’s and tomorrow’s world. Our core values are Leadership, Integrity, Service, Community, Diversity, Learning, and School Spirit, and we carry out our mission primarily through our oversight of clubs and organizations, leadership training programs, evening programs, civic and community programs and grant program.
Student Organizations
We guide and assist 30 academic student organizations, 22 social organizations 19 cultural organizations, 6 religious organizations, 11 honor societies, and 11 Greek organizations with the planning, organizing and implementing of each group's goals and events. In addition, we oversee the student media coalition which is comprised of:
- WLIU Radio, a state-of-the-art radio station
- WLIU DJ Mobile Unit
- Seawanhaka Newspaper
- Sound Yearbook
- LIU Television
All students are encouraged to stop by our office, M-311 and sign up to join these organizations.
Leadership Training
Student Life provides yearly leadership training for all students involved in student organizations at our summer Leadership Retreat with our sister campus, C.W. Post, as well as workshops for secretaries and treasurers. In addition, we have a Student Leadership Academy which is primarily designed to train students to be leaders on campus. Both trainings are augmented by other stand alone trainings, workshops or webinars on specific issues like goal-setting, time management, diversity, friendship and self-esteem, and alcohol awareness, for example. Our Avena Lounge also provides Business Management training each semester to the employees of the lounge.
Avena Lounge
In addition, we oversee the Avena Lounge, a student area complete with opportunities for building Business Management and event planning skills. The lounge has a game room, kitchen for special events, and a wine and beer bar which operates from 4:00p.m. to 9:30p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Employment opportunities in the lounge also affords students the ability to hone their leadership skills while receiving payment.
Evening Recreation Program
Our dynamic evening recreation program is multi-faceted ranging from basketball, tennis and African/Caribbean Dance to board games, table tennis and X-Box game tournaments. The program also sponsors trips to Rangers and Devils Hockey, Knicks and Nets Basketball, Mets and Yankees Baseball, Jets and Giants Football and bowling.
Civic and Community Program
Student Life co-hosts at least two workshops per year on the American Electoral process and the importance of being registered to vote and being informed about political issues in general. The office registers approximately 400 students per year in our various voter registration drives. In addition, we accommodate students who go to Albany to lobby for student financial aid and other issues pertinent to them.
Additionally, the office sponsors a One Good Deed program which involves a myriad of community service projects that include fundraising for various benefits such as Haitian earthquake relief etc., an alternative Spring Break trip, several blood drives throughout the year, clothing and book drives, holiday celebrations for children in the community and several others.
Campus Partnerships
Student Life also provides site placement for Social Work students who have to complete a significant number of hours for the course requirement. These students are given various specific tasks which they perform under the supervision of both a professor of the Social Work Department as well as the Director of Student Life. This partnership has thus far yielded an Evening Student Newsletter, greater servicing for our Veteran Student population through a Veteran’s Students Association and needs assessments for our commuter student and graduate student populations.
The Office is also partnering with the Heilbrunn Nursing Center in their “Weight Reduction Program” which is a student peer-to-peer accountability system that addresses nutrition issues.
Grants and Funding
The Office administers the Student Activities Grant, a $2500.00 award given to students who are members of the Campus Activities Program and engage in leadership training, specific co-curricular activities an on-campus job assignments. The Office also offers graduate assistantships to Graduate students interested in student leadership training, event planning, graphic design, business management and Accounting, Media, and Evening Program Management. Also, students who are the executive members of SGA, Seawanhaka, Sound, WLIU Radio and LIU-TV and awarded a percentage of Tuition remission which is administered through Student Life.
Entering freshmen and all students in good academic standing are eligible to take part in the extra curricular activities program. Activities as well as academics provide a balanced education and are therefore encouraged. Programs offered through the Office of Student Activities are funded by the proceeds of the Student Activity fee. The distribution of the Student Activity Fee promotes a progressive and student-centered program.
Applications for the Student Leadership Academy, the Student Activities Grant and a Student Life Graduate Assistantship are available in our office, M-311.
Our Staff
Karlene Thompson B.A., M.A., M.S.
Director of Student Life and Leadership Development
University Protocol and Oversight
Student Leadership Development
Student Publications
718-488-1216
Fax: 718-780-4182
karlene.thompson@liu.edu
Ashley Best, B.S., M.S.
Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership Development
Business Operations for the Student Center and Student Organizations
Student Center
Evening Programs
Activities Coordination and Calendar
718-488-1216
Fax: 718-780-4182
ashley.best@liu.edu
Richard Parker Jr., B.A.
Coordinator of Community Relations and Civic Engagement
Community Service and Civic Initiatives
Environmental Initiatives
Event Planning & Food Service Liaison
Club/Organization Facilities Manager
718-488-1216
Fax: 718-780-4182
richard.parker@liu.edu
Kapreka Booker, B.A.
Coordinator of Student Activities and Program Development
Student Implementation of University Protocol and Student Oversight
Clubs and Organizations Management
Ethics and Wellness Initiatives
Alternative Breaks
Greek Life
718-488-1216
Fax: 718-780-4182
kapreka.booker@liu.edu
Cedric Watson, B.A. (Part-time)
Technical Assistant
Broadcast Media Advisor
Special Events Risk Management
Equipment Maintenance
718-488-1216
Fax: 718-780-4182
cedric.watson@liu.edu
Graduate Assistants
Vern-Nicole Murphy, B.A.
Office Manager
E-mail: Vernnicole.Murphy@my.liu.edu
Helen Thompson, B.A.
Business Manager
E-mail: Helen.Thompson@my.liu.edu
Richmond Christian, B.Pharm
Events Coordinator
E-mail: Richmond.Christian@my.liu.edu
Lauren Williams, B.A.
Special Projects Coordinator
E-mail: Lauren.Williams4@my.liu.edu
Andre Marcano, B.A.
Evening Programs Assistant
E-mail: Andre.Marcano@my.liu.edu
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