1. Importance of
professional image and
perception as a student
leader

2. Introductions and Icebreakers
Defining professionalism
Attire
Professionalism on Campus
Break
Social Media Presence
Goal Setting
Conclusion w/ Q&A
Evaluations

3. PRESENTERS:
 Gissel Lopez
 Kelly DeSisto
 Jennifer Smolinski
PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
 To educate student leaders on how to
enhance their understanding and
identification with the notion of
professionalism and its importance both on
and off campus.

4. Take what you need
M&Ms Game

5.  Encompasses an individual’s behavior,
appearance, and workplace ethics
 Focus on the workplace before their personal
problems and agendas
 Able to focus on their work and avoid unnecessary
distractions
 Often perceived to be more competent and
valuable
 Usually referred to as leaders

6. Interviews
Work environment
Conferences
Classroom
Organization meetings/events
On campus

7.  Formal Business: Just one step down from tuxedos, such as dark
tailored suits for men and women.
• Men: white shirts (French cuff styles), cuff links, silk ties, and pocket squares (silk
or linen).
• Women: Skirted suits, hosiery, and closed-toe/closed heel pumps.
• Often requested for Award dinners, political events, and a variety of dressy
evening business occasions.
 Traditional Business: Always includes a jacket
• Men: Slacks, long sleeve dress shirt with sport jacket or blazer; tie can be
optional. Sport jacket/blazer.
• Women: Pantsuits are acceptable, skirts or slacks with blouse and jacket
 Business Casual- Usually has a collar for both men and women. A
twin set is acceptable for women at this level. An appropriate fit is
essential.
• Men: Slacks and long sleeve shirts, slacks with company issued polo shirt. No tee
shirts allowed.
• Women: Skirts or slacks with sweaters sets or blouses that have sleeves.
Sleeveless tops can lower your credibility.

8. T-shirts
Sneakers
Flip Flops
Wrinkled and/or unkempt shirt
Active Attire
Leggings

9. Short Skirts
Tight fitting clothes
Showing cleavage
Too much makeup
Heavy perfumes
Untraditional hair styles

10. Scuffed shoes
Un-tidy facial hair
Baggy clothing
Heavy Colognes
Untraditional Hair Styles

11. Confidence
Responsibility
Dependability
Knowledgeable
Attentiveness
Honesty
Cooperation
Respect
Ambition

12. Tips on how to translate professionalism into your leadership role
on-campus

13. Which roles you are affiliated with on-
campus?
What skills and qualities are necessary in
your position?
• What qualities are similar between these
leadership roles?

14. Students wear many hats:
 Mediator
 Tutor
 Event planner
 Enforcer
 Role model
 Community builder
 Student
 Friend
 Employee

15.  Representing the college is a large
responsibility
 Face of the college
• Students may know you even when you do not know
them
• Could be the presence that makes or breaks an
individual’s perception of the college experience
 What qualities and traits do you desire in an
institution?
• How do you emulate those traits in your work?
 Examples: appropriateness, inclusivity, being supportive of
students and co-workers

16. Who is your student body?
A student leader represents:
• LGBTQA
• Race
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Socioeconomic status
• Ability/Barriers

17. Should still maintain a sense of
professionalism on campus
 Be prepared for any new encounters that may lead to
beneficial opportunities
 Important for those who are interested in being involved
on campus and/or creating strong connections in or
outside of campus

18.  EMAIL ETIQUETTE
• Create a meaningful and relevant message for the subject
line
• Always start your email with a greeting such as Dear Mr.
Smith or Mr. Smith. Addressing an individual by first name
is only encouraged if you have already know the individual
well or he/she has addressed his/her emails with their first
name.
• Use appropriate and standard spelling and punctuation
 Ex. Unwarranted use of CAPS Lock
• Be clear, concise, direct, and straight to the point with your
e-mail message
• Be friendly and amiable, but refrain from informal and joking
language unless your relationship with the recipient deems
it appropriate

19.  PHONE ETIQUETTE
• Try to answer the phone on the second ring
 Too soon – can catch the caller off-guard
 Too late – inconveniences the caller and shows that they are not your
priority to help
• Don’t answer the phone by only saying ―hello‖
 Answer in a friendly manner that introduces your designated office and
your name
 Example: ―Thank you for calling the Office of Residence Life, this is <insert
your name>, how may I help you?‖
• Smile — it shows over the phone
• Make sure to ask for the caller’s name and write down any
information that is imperative
• Speak clearly, slowly, and at a medium volume
 Never talk with anything in your mouth (such as gum)
• Ask the caller if there is anything else you can help him/her with
• Thank them for their phone call

20. How does your tone differ with:
• Faculty
• Staff
• Outside contacts
• Students
• Prospective students
 Should there be a difference in tone between
these groups of people?

21. What expectations of accessibility must
student leaders uphold?
• Do these expectations change depending on the
position?
Activity: Get into groups of three and
discuss one time that you or someone you
knew ran into trouble with accessibility to
on-campus resources
• How did these experiences impact your goals?

22. Expectations should be indicated at the
beginning of a position
• If not already established, connect with your
supervisor and see if this can be done during a
staff meeting
Means of access
• Email
• Phone
• Office Hours
Where else are you required to be accessible in
your positions?

23. How your presence on social mediums can enhance or hinder your
professional image

24. What is Social Media?
What social mediums do you use?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQj
Yhv8
• What did you think of the video?
• What surprised you?
• How could social media’s influence on the world
be relevant to your image as a student leader?

25. Do you know how to use privacy settings
on your favorite social mediums?
Facebook Privacy Settings Tutorial
• Facebook Privacy Setting updates
 Can interfere with original settings

26. Identity crisis
• How does the pressure of the student leader
image impact your college experience?
How can you best balance being a student
and a representative of the institution?
• Do you have examples in which this has been
difficult to balance?
• How have YOU balanced these roles effectively?

27. #1 Rule of Professionalism – DO YOUR JOB.

28.  ―Believing passionately in what you do, Never
compromising your standards and values, Caring
about your clients, your people and your own
career‖
 ―Not being satisfied with simply completing the task–
professionals desire to deliver the highest quality
possible.‖
 ―Understanding the importance of communication,
appearance, and mannerisms: Professionals realize
that the way they look, act, speak, and write impacts
the way others perceive them.‖
Professionalism is…

29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3L-
_Nbki0Q

30. What stood out to you?
What did you agree with?
What did you disagree with?
Do you think that this institution’s idea of
professionalism is different from ours?

31. Recap of major points
Professionalism – a dynamic definition
What areas of professionalism could be
debated?
How can enhancing professionalism help
you in your leadership roles?
Are there any QUESTIONS?