10 Normalite student leaders share their insights on leadership in celebration of the 118th founding anniversary of Cebu Normal University (CNU) to inspire students and aspiring student leaders on how to face the upcoming academic year ahead with the new normal.

A talk on Student Leadership in CNU: Insights for the New Normal was live-streamed last Monday, June 22 at the CNU Public Information Office (PIO) Facebook account. 

Former student leaders of then Supreme Student Government (SSG) now Supreme Student Council (SSC) recalled and shared their experiences of being a Student Regent of CNU, and how it made an impact on their lives.  

These student leaders are: Atty. Mario Dennis Calvo, CNU-SSG President A.Y. 2006-2007; Dr. Michelle Mae Olvido, CNU-SSG President A.Y. 2008-2009; Mr. Marck Kenneth Albiso, CNU-SSG President A.Y. 2010-2011; Mr. Glenn Brigoli, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2012-2013; Atty. Danrey Cabataña, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2013-2014; Ms. Evangeline Yrat, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2014-2015; Ms. Janvarica Acop, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2016-2017; Mrs. Lesieg Lyn Ann Macachor, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2017-2018; and Ms. Anne Marion Judilla, CNU-SSC President A.Y. 2018-2019. The talk show was hosted by Hon. Neil Joseph Iyog, the incumbent CNU-SSC President (A.Y. 2019-2020).

The former presidents then took turns in answering a set of questions recollecting why they chose to run for the position, the challenges they encountered within their term and their personal struggles, and how they overcame it. They also shared how their experiences as a student leader influenced their decisions that led them to where they are at the present moment.

They also encouraged the students to be resilient with the ever-changing demands and needs of the present time, to use whatever learning opportunities available, and to never give up.

“Education happens anytime, anywhere,” Judilla said.  

She shared that the mode of delivering education to students will change perhaps because of the health crisis, but learning should still continue.  

“Trust that the people who are working to make sure that education continues to be of quality are also doing their job,” Olvido said.

She also encouraged students to focus on their circle of influence; on what they can do to alleviate or keep themselves from anxiety that most people are facing. She believes that what sets Normalites apart from others is the attitude of being “kugihan” or hardworking. 

“A CNU student was not built for the easy,” she said.  

The Higher Education Connect (HEdConnect) was also launched by the end of the talk. HEdConnect is a forum wherein Higher Education Institutions converse about the education landscape in the new normal.

HEdConnect is spearheaded by the University to virtually gather educators and education stakeholders to discuss ways to handle the challenges in the education sector brought by the pandemic. The first session of HEdConnect will be live-streamed on June 30, 2020, 1:30 PM at the CNU PIO Facebook account.           

A full video of the talk on Student Leadership in CNU: Insights for the New Normal may also be viewed at the CNU PIO official YouTube account of the University. (JDF)