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Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extreme demands on leaders in almost every sector of the world, with a considerable amount of uncertainty and apprehension pushing them into crisis mode. However, the true test of leadership is based on the response to the chaos and disruption; a response that unites people to propel an articulated mission and university leaders are no exception. The uncertain times of social distancing, quarantine, sanitizations and feelings of loss of control and emotional instability, demand a leadership change in behavior, and a mindset of calm and resilience to navigate its stakeholders throughout the pandemic.
Global College Access and Ballin’ by da Beach are uniting efforts along with their sponsor, the University of the Ozarks, to host their 7th Annual Student Summer Success Series. High school students, student-athletes, parents, coaches, guidance counselors and educational stakeholders have a unique opportunity to connect with university presidents, athletic directors, coaches and college admissions leaders for four consecutive nightly sessions. The series, which will take place on a virtual platform for the first time, offers four nightly Zoom sessions free of charge from Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Under the theme “Crucial Conversations in Higher Education: COVID-19 Threats and Opportunities”, this year’s series will provide relevant insight into international college recruitment, admissions, enrollment and financing, but in an unprecedented way. From the comfort of their homes, scholars, parents and educational stakeholders in The Bahamas and within the Caribbean region will have access to the faces behind college and university mascots who are pioneering, leading change, creating new pathways and making crucial decisions to address the way forward. Sessions will include: leading the change through a global crisis; executing the change; the college athlete and coaching through the crisis; and expanding opportunities for student success.
Interested persons are asked to tune in via Zoom or the social media platform of choice to hear from international college presidents as they speak about the process of navigating through a pandemic into a successful school year in the fall and beyond. They are asked to connect with international college vice presidents and admissions directors as they discuss the evolving college admissions processes during a world crisis, and watch as college athletic directors and coaches tackle topics such as the notable changes in the recruitment process, social distancing on respective college campuses, how the “new normal” will impact student-athletes and other topics involving the expanding opportunities that some students and parents have not considered.
The only investment required is one of vision, time and subsequent strategic action.
“We have sought to embrace this time to educate and challenge our participants as we embrace the challenge and threat of COVID-19; a way to create an even grander opportunity to connect students with higher education opportunities. So, what’s standing in the way of an uncertain now and an extraordinary future – information, access, strategies – opportunities like this year’s Student Summer Success Series,” said Jurelle Mullings, Ballin’ by da Beach Camps founder and coordinator of the Student-Athlete Resources and Support (STARS) Programme in the Ministry of Education.
To register for the virtual series, interested persons are asked to please visit the website studentsummersuccess.com.