By Sydiya Corbin

     Being directly involved in the Training of Security Information Officers was quite an experience. This was the first time I had taken the initiative to direct a project and watch it come together. I was nervous about the idea that I would be conducting a program without the help of my peers. I think the knowledge that I had to do this on my own gave me more strength and added to my self-confidence. Additionally, I felt a greater sense of pride knowing that my name would be behind something that would have a positive impact on the college. Even the nervousness began to fade away after I focused on the responses from the group.

     When new projects evolve on campus a lot of effort is put into making it successful. The quest for success means hard work by the persons who are trying to organize he program. Training the security information officers was one such project. As the trainer or moderator for this particular operation, considerable attention was devoted to what the officers needed to know about their jobs in order to enhance their performances. To give them useful information that they could apply as trainers, I had to observe their behavior and body language. Observing their behavior enabled me to create an agenda that was directed to the information officers.

     Creating the daily agenda for the information officers also included calling on representatives from some of the college offices. These representatives or guest speakers included Mr. Steve Little, Vice President of Budget and Finances, the Director of Government and Community Relations, the Director of Campus and Community Relations, Ursula Chase, Assistant Director of Campus and Community Safety Services, and Dr. Jacqueline Williams, Executive Assistant to the Dean for Student Life. It wasn't easy getting guest speakers to attend the training. I had to call their offices and set time in the agenda for them to speak to the information officers. I also tried to incorporate much of what they said into with what I was saying. These guest speakers were great resources.

     Role-plays were also included in the training sessions. They gave the security information officers a glimpse of some situations they could face while on duty. The role playing also gave them the opportunity to solve these problems as a group, and taught them how to work together as a team.

     My main goal for the program was to make sure that the officers walked away with helpful information they can continuously apply while they are serving Brooklyn College. According to the evaluations, the program was successful. Participating or conducting my own individual program made me feel like a true leader. I am confident that in the future, activities that I am a part of will continuously improve and the information that I distribute will be well received.