New Director of LEAP chosen, Assistant Director will be missed

director, feature 1, Glen Peterson, Issues13, LEAP, Miranda Eastman, Nessa Julian, News - By Miranda Eastman on Thursday, December 8, 2011 - 03:45

As the semester comes to a close, changes are beginning in the LEAP Office. Nessa Julian, who has been acting as the assistant director of the LEAP Office, leaves Whittier College for San Diego. The new director of LEAP will be Shauna Young, and Glen Peterson, who was prepared to leave the school, has agreed to stay at Whittier as interim assistant director of LEAP. These changes were presented to Poets in an e-mail from Jeane Ortiz titled, “Good News, Bad News, Good News.”

Julian is leaving Whittier College on Friday, Dec. 9. She has been with the College as the assistant director of LEAP for a little over two years. Her efforts resulted in the development of the Poet Lead program, enhancing leadership development opportunities for officers of student organizations, continual emphasis on learning outcome assessment and focused attention on growing student media opportunities. Ortiz also noted in her e-mail that Julian made a lot of headway on her doctorate degree.

Julian has nothing but good things to say about her experience here at Whittier College. “Very few people are fortunate enough to have a career that they love and I’m lucky enough to be one of those people,” Julian said. “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Whittier College community.  I have so many great memories from the last two and a half years and will miss the students and my colleagues.”

She is also extremely optimistic about the future of the LEAP Office. “I hope that the LEAP Office continues to provide students with opportunities to get involved, develop as leaders and add value to the Whittier College community,” Julian said.

Many people are sad to see Julian go. “We will miss her dearly,” Peterson said. “Her energy has given this office many great ideas, and it will miss her energy.”

Julian has also affected the lives of the student workers in the LEAP Office. “Nessa has always been so helpful and nice,” junior Sonya Takidjian said. “Since she’s been here, she’s always helped everyone out whenever they need it, but even though she’s leaving us, I’m sure she’s going to do well in the future.”

“I didn’t really know Nessa too well, but she was always really nice to everyone here, even me, and I always saw her smiling,” sophomore Michael Flores said.

According to the e-mail sent out by Ortiz, the new director of LEAP is to be Shauna Young. She has experience in student activities from a previous job at Pomona College and experience in residential life from her work at the University of the Pacific and Chapman University.

Young has experience in a broad range of areas from the technological aspects of event planning, programming, risk management, contracts, learning outcome assessment, diversity, leadership development and providing support for student government and other student organizations. Ortiz seems confident that she will do a great job.

“Shauna’s experience in a broad range of areas from the technological aspects of event planning, programming, risk management, contracts, learning outcome assessment, diversity, leadership development and providing support for student organizations and student government organizations position her well to help students articulate the outcomes and benefits of their co-curricular experience,” Ortiz said in her e-mail. Young will be joining the College on Jan. 2.

Glen Peterson has agreed to stay on as the interim assistant director of LEAP. Ortiz’ email describes the complimentary letters that she has received from students regarding Peterson’s willingness to talk to students and help them out with their problems during his short stay at Whittier College.

“His willingness to engage students in conversations about the meaning of their membership in the Whittier College community and to explore ways to become active in changing their world has left a lasting impression” Ortiz said.

Though the LEAP Office is going through a lot of changes, students should know that the staff is always available to get students involved with Whittier College’s campus and student events. Peterson remains hopeful for the future.

“Shauna Young is very capable,” he said. “She has a lot of great ideas that students should look forward to seeing in the upcoming year.”