Student Engagement and Leadership
New York City is SVA’s campus. When students are not in class or the studio, there are many ways to take advantage of all that the City has to offer. The office of Student Engagement and Leadership plays an important role in orienting new students to the City and the SVA campus, while also creating opportunities for students to meet and connect with one another.
Making friends and creating social networks are key factors in a student's happiness and success at SVA; and Student Engagement and Leadership helps to create opportunities for this. Stop by the office for more information on how to become an involved member of the SVA community!
Please send all general inquiries via email to activities@sva.edu.
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Involvement Opportunities
Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) offers students leadership experience through a variety of engagement opportunities, including the Visual Arts Student Association (VASA), and its student clubs and student senators. There are also engagement opportunities through the campus radio station, WSVA Radio, and the student art magazine publication, Visual Opinion. The Office oversees the Student Center space on campus and conducts a Student Leadership Series each year, in addition to other discounted services.
Orientation Leader
Becoming an Orientation Leader (OL) is a great first step into student leadership. OLs are recruited in the Spring semester for the following Fall Welcome Week and work the two weeks before classes begin. The OL position is an opportunity to make friends, grow as a leader and welcome incoming students while supporting their transition to SVA. The OL position is a paid leadership opportunity at the student worker hourly rate. For questions about the OL position or selection process, please email olselection@sva.edu.
Service Projects and Events
Student Engagement and Leadership is always looking for community service projects or philanthropy opportunities for SVA students, faculty, and staff. In the past, collaborations have included events with organizations like Free Arts New Work City, Team Rubicon for Sandy Hurricane relief, The Bowery Mission and the Hudson Guild Community Center, to name a few. Through participation in projects, volunteers learn that there is no better way to give back to their City than becoming involved in community service and philanthropy efforts.
Look for flyers advertising upcoming opportunities, or if you have an idea for a project you would like to host, email the staff at activities@sva.edu.
Student Leadership Series
The Student Leadership Series hosts leadership development programs separated into multiple sessions each year. Students can attend individual programs or the entire series. Each program is designed to cover a different leadership topic, including subjects like service, civic engagement, effective communication and the transition from college to the professional world. Each year the series also hosts a session about applying for leadership positions on campus, meant to prepare students for leadership applications and inform them about engagement opportunities at SVA.
Information about program dates for the Student Leadership Series can be obtained through the Student Engagement and Leadership office. Any students or staff who have ideas for programs or would be interested in hosting a session should contact the office at activities@sva.edu.
Discount Services
Student Engagement and Leadership offers SVA students opportunities for discounted tickets to select sporting and theater events throughout the year. Events in the past have included tickets to Nets basketball games, and Broadway shows like Beetlejuice and Wicked. Events are announced through SVA Today and flyers around campus. Tickets are for SVA students with valid SVA ID only.
Discounted movie tickets are sold at the SVA Campus Store during their regular hours of operation: Monday - Friday 9 AM-5 PM, closed for summer Fridays. For more information, please visit the SVA Campus Store (207 East 23rd Street, New York City).
SEAL Office Competencies
The SEAL Office Competencies are skills and behaviors identified by the office that students will gain or improve upon through participation in SEAL programs, opportunities, and student leadership roles.
Self-Awareness
Conscious of one's own character, values, actions, and ability to engage in introspection.
- Emotional Intelliginece
- Self-improvement & Growth
- Interpersonal Skills
- Wellness & Resilience
Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with audiences both inside and outside of an organization. Listen effectively to gain understanding and engage in appropriate written and verbal communication with students, faculty, and staff.
- Effective Oral & Written Communication
- Work effectively in teams
- Manage & Resolve Conflict
- Collaboration
Equity & Inclusion
Demonstrates respect and understanding of diverse cultures, races, genders, orientations, and religions. Appreciates and learns from diverse groups and demonstrates empathy towards others with differing lifestyles and viewpoints.
- Respect & Value Diversity
- Advocate for Equity & Inclusion
- Recognize personal identity, culture, privilege, etc.
Leadership & Professionalism
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. Shows empathy and a positive attitude to motivate team members. Demonstrates personal accountability, effective work habits, integrity, and ethical behavior while keeping the interests of the larger community and workplace in mind.
- Personal Accountability
- Integrity
- Effective Work Habits
- Ethical Behavior
Intellectual Growth
Identify and respond to needs based on an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information. Displays sound reasoning when evaluating issues, and making decisions. Ability to meet expectations and take accountability for actions and decisions
- Decision Making
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Personal and Professional Responsibility
Adapted from NACE Career Readiness Competencies, UNC The Graduate School “Core Competencies for Graduate Students”, and the University of Miami Student Activities & Student Organizations Core Competencies
Kayla has worked in higher education for nearly a decade. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baylor University and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) from Texas State University.
Savannah has worked at SVA since 2023. She received a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an M.Ed. in Counseling - Student Affairs from Northern Arizona University.
New York, NY 10010
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm. (Closed on Fridays during the summer semester.)