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Fifty-six incoming Mount Wachusett Community College students learned new skills, met new friends and volunteered in the community during the college鈥檚 11^th annual Summer Leadership Academy.

Participants attended educational workshops designed to enhance their academic and leadership skills, took part in team-building activities and completed civic engagement projects. Sponsored by the office of Student Life in collaboration with the college鈥檚 Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement, the two-day program took place August 25 and 26 at the college鈥檚 Gardner campus.

Service projects included a back-pack drive to benefit children living in foster care in Massachusetts. Through donations from students, faculty, staff and local organizations and businesses, the drive yielded 123 backpacks filled with an array of school supplies. The drive 听exceed the goal of 100 backpacks and broke the program鈥檚 previous record of 93.

Leadership Academy participants also volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity of North Central Massachusetts鈥� ReStore center in Leominster and Cathy鈥檚 House, a residential program for women veterans in Winchendon under renovation by the Montachusett Veteran Outreach Center. Volunteers also helped prepare the college鈥檚 Fitness & Wellness Center, nature trail and campus grounds for the start of the new academic year on September 2.

The Leadership Academy is designed to give new students a jump start on their first semester, said Associate Dean of Students Greg Clement. College faculty, staff, alumni and current students take part to ensure a meaningful experience for the incoming students, he said.

鈥淭his is one of the most exciting times of the year. It鈥檚 so rewarding to see new students come in as strangers and gain friends and confidence during the two-day program.鈥�

鈥淟eadership Academy is a great way to become involved in school and a great way to get to know your peers,鈥� said volunteer Carrie DeCosta of Winchendon, president of the Student Government Association.

Student Trustee Tom Berger, also of Winchendon, said the service component provides new students with an opportunity to meet people at the college and in the community.

鈥淚t gives people a sense of pride and accomplishment to be able to give back to the community.鈥�

Zoe Hammond of Templeton, who will begin her college degree as a dual-enrolled high school student in the Pathways Early College Innovation School, said she enjoyed the experience.

鈥淚t was great to meet people before starting classes.鈥� Hammond said she particularly enjoyed a martial arts exercise that guided each student to break a solid board with their hand during a lesson on overcoming challenges and barriers.听

鈥淚t was inspiring.鈥�