What are the Benefits of Being on ADCO?


The Advisory Council meets weekly to organize and manage what is going on in UELA. ADCO gives UELA members an opportunity to put the leadership skills learned in the Tiers into action. ADCO also has other opportunities such as representing the organization at leadership conferences across the country. This year Ashley and Mallory represented ADCO at a conference in Arizona.

Below the 2012-2013 ADCO share what leading UELA has been like for them this past year and what they have learned.

"Being a part of ADCO has allowed me to actually use the leadership skills I learned throughout the Tier experience. ADCO has also tested my leadership skills given certain situations that have come up that don't necessarily come up when you're just learning about leadership." -Jeff Hoida, Chair

"I love being on ADCO because it provides me with an opportunity to utilize the curriculum through my experiences. I learn best by doing, and ADCO has proved to fulfill the need. ADCO has also given me the power to give back to the organization and contribute to its development. I love the sense of ownership I feel with UELA as a result of my role in ADCO." -Ashley Schultz, Co-Chair  

"My favorite part about ADCO was implementing the new curriculum changes with my Tier because I feel a direct sense of accomplishment within the program" -Mallory Ermler, Tier I/II Co-Director

"Just like Mallory, I feel I was able to learn more about myself through the new curriculum process" -Victoria Bruner, Tier I/II Co-Director 

"It is really cool to see all the background stuff and see the leadership that is going on behind the scenes that people don't really know about or see."  -Jessica Stoens, Operations Director

"I have been on ADCO for 3 years now and have learned something in every roll. This year I learned a lot of new skills and about creating and setting up a new position when I stepped into the new Marketing Director position. It has been great trying to help share the name of UELA and I can't wait to see where the person after me takes the position." -Kate Schlarf, Marketing Director

Network Better at Your Next Leadership Conference
by +Kate Schlarf 

Recently many UELA members participated in the Students in Leadership Conference held at the University of Evansville. Many members were nervous about attendance and networking with local professionals. Here are some tips for networking at future events to maximize your conference experience. 

Some UELA members at the Students in
Leadership Conference 

1.  Do Your Homework!

If you know who the keynote speakers or guests will be before the event be sure to research a little bit about them or their company. What has been some recent good news from their company? Are there any industry trends you can learn more about?  Learning more about the speakers gives you more speaking topics than just "Hi my name is...and I study...." It also makes you seem much more knowledgable and relatable that you can as relevant questions about their industry.


2. Smile and Ask Genuine Questions

A smile, though simple, can often be forgotten when on is nervous in networking situations. A smile can make you seem much friendlier and inviting so be sure to flash a genuine smile as you meet people at the conference. Also, when talking avoid forced questions. Only ask questions you truly want an answer to and that are appropriate to the situation.

3.  Exchange Information and Follow Up

Make sure before you leave you get their card and offer your own if you have one. Getting their information allows you to email the person a day or so later to thank them for talking with you (this is also a great way to give them your information if you didn't at the event). This ia also an appropriate time to follow up on any questions you had about the conversation or presentation.