Follow the leader: UF's Sharinda Welton wins national award
She tirelessly works behind the scenes to help students at The University of Findlay bring compelling and memorable entertainment and educational speakers to campus, and her leadership knowledge is in demand. For her years of effort, Sharinda Welton was recently recognized with an award from a national organization.
At the recent Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities national conference in Jacksonville, Florida, Welton received the Yonna Pasch Heart of APCA Award, which recognizes a professional in student life that lives to the fullest in positive ways and sets a stellar service example on and off campus.
Welton has been UF’s director of student activities, commuter services and leadership development since 2000. She advises Campus Program Board, the student-led group that books, promotes and hosts diverse entertainment on campus, with much of it being open to the community to attend. She coordinates the Music Bach’s Concert series in conjunction with the board, and coordinates “Welcome Week” programming in conjunction with UF’s Student Government Association. She organizes student leadership and educational development retreats and trips to regional and national conferences. She also co-created and implemented T.O.O.L. (Teaching Oilers Organizational Leadership) Development Series with SGA leaders.
In addition, Welton assists those who are seeking to organize new student organizations on campus, helps students with event brainstorming and planning, conducts workshops and presents at student organization officers’ retreats and for residence life programming, and coordinates the University’s annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Toy Drive and Camp Fire’s Absolutely Incredible Kid Day letter writing campaign.
She is well-versed in print too. She has been published in Campus Magazine and one of her campus student life articles was published in Campus Life Trends in April. She has had her photography featured on the cover of Campus Magazine.
Welton is recognized as a leadership development and customer service expert, and has presented at APCA national conferences and hosted leadership development training for the U.S. Army. She has been invited and will be presenting in June at the APCA Student Life Advisor Institute as well as serving as the chair for the Advanced Professional Track during the Advisor Institute in Las Vegas. Welton has also accepted an invitation to present at the National Leadership on Broadway Experience in New York City in July.
As an active volunteer, Welton represents UF as an ambassador for The Front Row Foundation, she is a fund raiser for the international organization Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, for the Chamber Ambassadors through the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance, and serves on the Black Swamp Boy Scouts of America board.
She is also dedicated to helping rescue and rehabilitate exotic and domestic animals.
“We are thrilled to recognize Sharinda Welton with this award,” said Eric Lambert, president and CEO of APCA. “I speak for the entire association when I say she is an example of an advisor who leads students with pristine morals and ethics. We are very proud and honored to have her be a part of our organization.”