Falcon Leadership Institute (FLI)
The Falcon Leadership Institute (FLI) is a 5-workshop leadership series that develops and enhances students' leadership skills. FLI students learn how to join or create leadership opportunities. These newly-developed leadership skills can be utilized at the college, in the local community, and eventually in their careers.
Applications for the Falcon Leadership Institute are accepted through the academic year.
How To Complete The Falcon Leadership Institute
FLI participants have one academic year to complete the five FLI workshops that are hosted both in-person and virtually.
To receive the FLI Certificate of Completion, participants must:
- Have attended at least one workshop for each of the five leadership practices
- Completed all reflections for each leadership practice (available on FalConnect).
- Complete the final reflection with a passing score (available on FalConnect).
Students who complete the Falcon Leadership Institute are honored at recognized at the Associated Students of Cerritos College (ASCC) End of the Year Reception.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Falcon Leadership Institute (FLI) participants must complete at least 1 workshop from each leadership practice within one academic year. Please see the schedule of workshops for the 2024-2025 academic year below.
MODEL THE WAY
Date | Time | Location | Presenter |
---|---|---|---|
September 11, 2024 | 12-1PM | Auto Partners (AP) 11 & Zoom (Hyflex) | Chris Dela Cruz |
December 6, 2024 | 12-1PM | Zoom | Greg Camarillo |
February 4, 2025 | 4-5PM | Location TBD & Zoom (Hyflex) | Chris Dela Cruz |
March 7, 2025 | 12-1PM | Zoom | Greg Camarillo |
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION
Date | Time | Location | Presenter |
---|---|---|---|
September 24, 2024 | 3:30-4:30PM | Zoom | Chris Dela Cruz |
November 18, 2024 | 5-6:30PM | Auto Partners (AP) 11 | Hetty Yeung |
February 10, 2025 | 5-6:30PM | Zoom | Hetty Yeung |
February 18, 2025 | 12-1PM | Location TBD | Chris Dela Cruz |
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS
Date | Time | Location | Presenter |
---|---|---|---|
October 15, 2024 | 12-1PM | Auto Partners (AP) 11 | Chris Dela Cruz |
October 21, 2024 | 4-5PM | Zoom | Jonathan Soto |
February 21, 2025 | 11AM-12PM | Location TBD | Jonathan Soto |
March 6, 2025 | 12-1PM | Zoom | Chris Dela Cruz |
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT
Date | Time | Job Location | Presenter |
---|---|---|---|
September 16, 2024 | 4-5:30PM | Auto Partners (AP) 11 | Eric Palacios |
October 24, 2024 | 5-6PM | Zoom | Chris Dela Cruz |
March 12, 2025 | 12-1PM | Location TBD | Chris Dela Cruz |
March 24, 2025 | 12-1PM | Zoom | Eric Palacios |
ENCOURAGE THE HEART
Date | Time | Location | Presenter |
---|---|---|---|
October 18, 2024 | 1-2PM | Zoom | Amna Jara |
October 28, 2024 | 12-1PM | Auto Partners (AP) 11 | Chris Dela Cruz |
March 28, 2025 | 1-2PM | Location TBD | Amna Jara |
April 8, 2025 | 3:30-4:30PM | Zoom | Chris Dela Cruz |
PRESENTER INFORMATION
Amna Jara
Manager of Student Life & Alumni Relations, Calbright College
Amna Jara is the Manager of Student Life and Alumni Relations at Calbright College. She is an immigrant from Pakistan who is currently serving in her 20th year serving students in higher education. She spent almost 18 of those 20 years at Cerritos College. She is currently pursuing a doctor of education in leadership for educational equity in higher education at CU Denver.
Chris Dela Cruz
Student Activities Coordinator, Cerritos College
Chris Dela Cruz has worked over 13 years in higher education at the UC, CSU, and California Community Colleges. He also has served on the board of directors for the Men of Color Action Network (MOCAN) and the California Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) most recently as the Association President. Chris is an active listener and helps teammates find opportunities for success inside and outside of the organization.
Eric Palacios
Assistant Director of Campus Activities, UC Santa Barbara
As a first-generation scholar and child of immigrant parents, Eric’s journey showcases his passion for student advocacy and equity in higher education. Eric holds a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus in Higher Education from CSULB. Eric continues to champion institutional change and empower students to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Greg Camarillo
Academic Coordinator, San Diego State University Athletics
Greg Camarillo is a former NFL wide receiver who now dedicates his career to impacting the lives of high school and college student-athletes. He serves as the President/Founder of The Athlete Academy Foundation which provides a comprehensive support and development program for high school student-athletes in underserved communities of San Diego while also serving as an Academic Mentor for student-athletes at SDSU. Greg stays connected with football through his broadcasting career as an on-air sports analyst for NBC San Diego. Outside of his professional endeavors, Greg is a proud dad to 3 girls (11,9 and 7 years old) and has been married for 13 years.
Hetty T. Yeung
Private Estate Manager
Hetty is an immigrant that came to the US at the age of 4. As an introverted leader, Hetty grew her career in hotels for 10 years and finally transitioned into private estate management. She firmly believes that what is meant for you will always find its way!
Jonathan Soto
Six Sigma Blacket Belt, Cintas Corporation
Johnny grew up in La Mirada, CA and graduated from CSU Fullerton with a B.A., Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing in 2017. While attending CSUF, Johnny was recruited by Cintas to join their Management Trainee program. Johnny was promoted into his current role of Six Sigma Black Belt in September 2023 serving as the Project Manager for several IT initiatives, working to automate and improve several processes within Cintas. In his spare time, Johnny enjoys traveling, and has the goal of visiting all 7 continents by the time he is 40.
LEADERSHIP THEORY & PRACTICES
Leadership Theory
The Falcon Leadership Institute is based on Kouzes and Posner’s (2017) Leadership Challenge. This leadership theory highlights the differences between good and great leaders and also shows emerging leaders how to bridge the gap between getting things done and making things happen. The Leadership Challenge (2017) theory explains leadership as a skill that needs to be learned and a relationship that needs to be nurtured to reach its fullest potential. The Leadership Challenge (2017) consists of five exemplary practices of leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. Each practice will be highlighted via an engaging workshop experience.
Leadership Practices
The FLI will have five core workshops covering each of the five exemplary practices of leadership:
The most important personal quality people look for and admire in a leader is personal credibility. Credibility is the foundation of leadership. If people don’t believe in the messenger, they won’t believe the message. Titles may be granted, but leadership is earned. Leaders will learn how to Model the Way by finding their voice and setting an example.
Leaders are driven by their clear image of possibility and what their organization could become. Leaders Inspire a Shared Vision by envisioning the future and enlisting others in a common vision. Leaders breathe life into visions—through vivid language and an expressive style. Their own enthusiasm and excitement are contagious and spread from the leader to constituents. Leaders will learn their belief in and enthusiasm for the vision are the sparks that ignite the flame of inspiration.
Challenge is the opportunity for greatness. Maintaining the status quo breeds mediocrity. Leaders seek and accept challenging opportunities to test their abilities and look for innovative ways to improve the organization. People do their best when there is a chance to change the way things are. Leaders will learn how to motivate others to exceed their limits.
Leaders know they cannot do it alone. It takes partners to get extraordinary things done in an organization. Leaders create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. They build teams that feel like a family and make people feel like owners, not like hired hands. Leaders will learn empowering others is essentially the power of turning followers into leaders themselves.
Leaders have high expectations both of themselves and of their constituents. They provide people with clear direction, substantial encouragement, personal attention, and meaningful feedback. Leaders will learn how to make people feel like winners, and winning people like to continue raising the stakes!
If disability accommodations (e.g. communications access, alternate formats) are needed to participate fully in this event, please submit your request to AccommodationsRequest@Cerritos.edu within seven school days in advance of the event.
To learn more about the Falcon Leadership Institute or how to join, please contact Chris Delacruz at cdelacruz@cerritos.edu
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