UNITY IN LEADERSHIP: Reflections on WAU Student Association’s Pivotal Retreat

Last month, executive officers of Washington Adventist University’s Student Association (SA) held an SA retreat at Mount Aetna Retreat Center in Hagerstown, MD. SA officers were joined by Vice President of Student Life Dr. Ralph Johnson on Aug. 13th and 14th for team-building activities, planning sessions and more. Below is a reflection on the retreat from Dr. Johnson as well as from this year’s Student Association President Henrique da Silva.

“In the sphere of student leadership development, many colleges and universities offer and/or require their student government leadership to attend a retreat prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The purpose of such retreats is to provide the leadership an opportunity to come together and focus on team building and planning for the upcoming academic year. It is also a time of self-reflection and introspection for the individual leaders as they begin their tenures for the roles to which they were elected or appointed. 

I am pleased that the WAU administration supported such a retreat for the executive officers of the WAU Student Association. It is one of the ways that we intentionally embrace many of the university learning objectives that are outlined in the Academic Bulletin.”

– Dr. Ralph Johnson

“The idea of having a retreat with the Student Association team has been in my heart ever since I was elected as the President of the Student Association. Then, I realized Dr. Johnson is an advocate for retreats, as they offer not only a break from regular activities but, most importantly, an opportunity to grow personally and as a team.

We were able to get so much done in just a short period of time at the retreat, and it was much needed. The team engaged in several activities led by Dr. Johnson, and we were able to all be on the same page so that we can always make sure the students at Washington Adventist University are having the best experience ever, and feel the same way I have always felt: thankful that God brought me here.

I am also thankful that God has helped us during this process of organizing the retreat, and for His abundant grace. God is working at WAU, and I cannot wait to see how He will still change people’s lives throughout the school year through the Student Association and other organizations on campus.”

– Henrique da Silva