Paws for Success: Berks’ Leadership Series

Paws for Success is your opportunity to develop leadership skills and enhance your involvement at Penn State Berks’. Paws for Success is made up of several workshops throughout the year focusing on transformative leadership. Students who participate will get connected with faculty/staff on campus as well as build connections with other emerging leaders. This program is for students who are interested in expanding their leadership potential. Students who complete at least 2 workshops a semester will be recognized at our Student Government Association Leadership Banquet.

Learning Objectives

  • To enhance student knowledge, skills, and competencies in leadership while developing their ability to manage change.
  • To increase student awareness of their leadership style and develop the ability to adapt.
  • To learn new strategies that enhance student’s abilities to become global citizens
  • To create an inclusive environment that celebrates and embraces diversity
  • To promote critical thinking; students can articulate and make decisions that reflect personal values.

Spring 2022 Workshops

New Year, New You – Vision Board Program

Presented by Angie DiJiacomo and Autumn Fritz
January 11, 2022
3–5 p.m., Perkins MPR

Join Paws for Success and CAB as they will be offering the supplies to create your own vision board! Use old magazines, scrapbook paper, markers, and more to create a visual representation of all that you would like to achieve. Set your intentions and get ready to make 2022 your best year yet! Limited supplies are available! 

Stand for State

Presented by Angie DiJiacomo and Autumn Fritz
January 27, 2022
5–6:30 p.m., Perkins MPR

Have you ever witnessed something that you knew wasn’t right, but you didn’t know how to step in and stop it? Our bystander intervention program teaches you how to take action because everyone plays a role in watching out for each other and we all deserve to be safe. At Stand for State, we empower students to step in when it counts. Join Ms. Autumn Fritz and Ms. Angie DiJiacomo for a conversation of how you can make Penn State Berks a safer place!

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Presented by Angie DiJiacomo
February 8, 2022
4 p.m., Perkins 003

Lasting relationships, like anything worthwhile, take intentional commitment over time. But when you’re just not on the same page, keeping your love alive can feel intimidating – or even impossible. Whether you are single, in a relationship, in the military or working with children, this session will explore different ways love communicates to you! In this session, members from the Office of Campus life will use The 5 Love Languages® profile that will give you a thorough analysis of your emotional communication preference. It will single out your primary love language, what it means, and how you can use it to connect and deepen your relationships with others.

Alcohol Safety

Presented by Police Services
February 3, 2022
12 p.m., Perkins 003

Join Penn State Berks Police Services for an afternoon program with tips on alcohol safety. This engaging program features engaging activities such as the Beer Goggles which gives students the simulation of having a high blood alcohol content level. 

It’s OK to Not be OKAY 

March TBD

There are many reasons that students don’t seek help for their mental health: stigma is one of the biggest reasons. During this workshop, we hope to combat the stigma and mis-education regarding what constitutes mental health- while also providing resources and strategies for managing your own or supporting friends’ mental health as college students. We cannot say it enough, it is okay to not be okay, and we want to provide you with the knowledge and self-empowerment to successfully write your own story during your time at Penn State Berks. 

Dieting, Nutrition, and the Healthy Lifestyle

Presented by  Dr. Ike Shibley and Peer Health Educators
March 22, 2022
4 p.m., Perkins 003

In honor of National Nutrition month, Dr. Ike Shibley will be talking about the intersections of diet, nutrition, and helping participants to define healthy living for themselves. You may be shocked to learn that healthy eating should focus less on WHAT you’re eating and more on HOW you’re fueling your body. 

Cookies & Consent 

Presented by Paws for Success
April 4, 2022
8–9 p.m., Perkins 003

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Paws for Success wants to break down the topic of consent. Consent is often discussed, with little to no clarity or skills to ensure the safety of all involved in romantic and sexual relationships. This workshop will focus on helping participants to feel more comfortable and confident in requesting and communicating whether or not they are consenting participants with their partners, and how to extend the same consideration for their partners. 

Officer Transition Training 

Presented by Office of Campus Life
April 1, 2022
12:15 p.m., Perkins 003

The time of the year has come for our current club and organization leaders to pass the torch to its future leadership. Join the Office of Campus Life for a discussion and exercises to ensure you are passing down as much information efficiently and effectively.