UMass Amherst hosts inaugural Emerging Leaders Summit in Springfield

Elected officials joined UMass Amherst students in an Emerging Leaders for the Common Goods Summit today. 22 News reporter Gabriela Villas-Boas joins us live in the studio with what students took away from this event. Thank you, Claire. The next generation of leaders learned what it means to work in public service today at Tower Square. The UMass Amherst School of Public Policy and the UMass Donahue Institute hosted their inaugural Emerging Leaders for Common Goods summit, bringing together officials and educators from Western Massachusetts to help aspiring leaders on their path to public office. One of the organizers, Johan Juven, tells us the program's message centers around preparing students for the common good. Johan Juven, President of the University of Massachusetts, We've made a joint commitment to say we are going to do whatever we can as a campus community to strengthen democracy. Juven tells us this event was the unofficial kickoff to a year-long leadership program where he hopes to recruit undergraduate emerging leaders. He encourages all students to, quote, go the distance. It's a long road to public office, but some of these students know exactly where they're going. And today, they're grateful for the opportunity to get to learn more. I really heard about this opportunity, and I thought it was wonderful for, you know, students to really connect with the local officials, the mayor of Springfield, all of these different people who are here, you know, to support us in our journey, especially as, you know, aspiring public servants. The event was divided into sessions, including the journey to public office, legislation that matters, why we continue to serve, and an open Q&A and networking. Students heard from over 10 different officials, including Abigail Arriaga, the Chicopee City Councilor, who tells students to put themselves out there and get involved. Ask questions, call, emails, what can I do to help, ask the question of what you can do to be involved, that's really important. While the program is currently focused on undergraduate students, they do hope to find ways to further engage graduate students before they set off on their journey to public service. Organizers from UMass Amherst hope to host more events like this in the near future. Working for you, I'm Gabriela Villas-Boas, 22 News.