Students become leaders on campus

By Jake Zabski

Stonehill’s motto of Think, Act, and Lead goes into action for students who are a part of the Anchors Leadership Society.

Anchors is a student leadership organization that provides Stonehill students with effective leadership skills and roles across campus and beyond graduation.

Seniors Abby Guilfoyle and Molly Cannon joined Anchors in the spring of 2021, and they attribute Anchors to helping them achieve success across campus.

“I wanted to join Anchors because I wanted to be better at public speaking and asserting myself. I also wanted to learn what it means to be a leader and learn how to be a better leader in the classroom and future jobs,” Guilfoyle said.

Guilfoyle used her Anchors training to get out of her comfort zone and became an FYE facilitator this semester, as well as benefiting in the classroom where she is now doing research with a professor. She finds herself participating more in class, which she attributes to the Anchors Society.

“I definitely saw Anchors as a way to improve myself while also using it as a launchpad to gain other leadership positions for the rest of my time here at Stonehill,” Cannon said.

Cannon used her Anchors training to give her the confidence to apply and become an Orientation Leader, as well as being a tour guide for admissions.

Anchors trains students to become effective leaders through an initiation process that takes several weeks.

“In the initiation process, we did a lot of activities that made you look into yourself. We did exercises on how your brain can throw you off and how to be more self-aware,” Guilfoyle said.

“Initiation was set up to be a very comfortable and open environment for discussion. Everyone in the group brought their strengths together to become assertive together. You learn how to step up, delegate, and be a leader,” Cannon said.

Cannon and Guilfoyle both encourage students who want to get involved on campus to consider joining Anchors.

“Anchors will only help you. I was nervous signing up because I was never a good public speaker but I figured everyone signing up had similar issues like me so I knew it would be a safe space,” Guilfoyle said.

Guilfoyle got to know many heads of administration on campus through Anchors, and she even got a birthday message from Father John himself.

“Anchors has allowed me to have conversations that otherwise I would not get as an ordinary student. You create connections with heads of administration and this can help you in your future on campus,” Guilfoyle said.

Cannon and Guilfoyle will both graduate in the spring and are confident knowing their Anchors training will help them post-grad.

“I will use my Anchors training to be more of an active participant in social situations, whether it’s something as important as a job or even just at the grocery store. I think Anchors prepared me to be ready for whatever situation I face and I feel more confident approaching people,” Guilfoyle said.

“Anchors will help me chase opportunities presented to me no matter what they may be. Life experiences, job opportunities, and more I will be able to face much more confidently from my training,” Cannon said.

Applications to join Anchors opens on October 18th and further information will be provided soon over email. If you are interested in learning more in the meantime, email: anchors-society@stonehill.edu.