A student-submitted look at CLSP training this summer.
On June 28th 2017, Chinese Student Leadership Program (CSLP) members visited Coca-Cola Ozarks Bottling Company, a well-known factory in Springfield, Missouri. The company was established by Rice’s family which has been running for hundreds of years. Their business territory covers major areas and holds eighty percent of beverage sales in the State of Missouri. The production manager, Jim Peterson, guided CSLP members and introduced the whole process of Coca Cola producing that day. With their developments of the technology and economy, they have been accelerating the bottling process. Mr. Peterson showed incredible yield of Coke in just a few seconds. Meanwhile, the company connects to a lot of communities. They donate millions of dollars worldwide each year and work with health organizations. Mr. Peterson said that people are the best asset. As a leader, we should show as much concern as we could to the members whom we will lead and build good relationship with.
On June 30, 2017, CSLP invited Dr. Shannon McMurtrey as the guest speaker, who is the CEO of Digital River Information Security, LLC. He gave CSLP members a speech about the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The book introduces 7 habits to make ourselves be more effective in daily life. The 7 habits are: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, and then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw. Students need to develop the correct habits and change themselves day by day so that they can be successful in the future.
On July 5, 2017, Dr. Dana Haggard presented “Four Characteristics of an Excellent Peer Mentor”. Firstly, a qualified mentor should have relevant knowledge and experience to share, it may come from networking with a diverse group of people, such as professor, staff, or foreign friends. Secondly, being a responsible and ethical role model that explicitly stablishes expectations with mentees regarding their responsibility and ethicality. Thirdly, it is crucial to develop good communication skills as a mentor. Try to focus on problem-oriented rather than person-oriented, and respond in a timely manner. Fourthly, respect for and be patience with mentees. Dr. Dana suggested us to keep an open mind to mentees and prevent gossip about mentees or other mentors.
On July 7, we visited Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital Springfield has a traditional of healing more than 120 years old. We first visited the first aid room, the sets of equipment in the emergency room are very advanced and completed. Then we visited the intensive care unit, which is equipped with advanced monitoring system. Doctors could monitor and treat patients through the cameras, even the iris of the patients can be seen clearly. Finally, we visited the hospital’s church. There is the place where the patients and their families can pray and confess. It made me feel that the hospital does not only cure the patients’ disease but also the patients’ spiritual world.