Mission: Why do we exist?
The Campus Life Office cultivates the willingness and ability for Westmont students to lead and learn in all areas of life. It exists to help students collaborate effectively; to steward their gifts; to cultivate a worthwhile vision; and to lead with integrity. The CLO is responsible for Student Organization Advising & Leadership Development, Ministries and Missions, the First Year Experience and Special Programming.
Those involved with the CLO are also responsible to advise, mentor, empower and support many of our student leaders. The groups they represent include the Westmont College Student Association (WCSA), the Westmont Activities Council (WAC), the Spring talent extravaganza (Spring Sing), Westmont Student Ministries (WSM), the Orientation Team leaders (O-Team), the Potter’s Clay service trips to Mexico (PC), Urban Inititive service trips to San Francisco and Los Angeles(UI) and the international summer missions teams (Emmaus Road).
All student leaders involved in these organizations participate in an extensive introductory leadership training program and retreat, bi-monthly leadership lunches and a spring training forum. These experiences combined with practice and deliberate advising help students develop their leadership skills to prepare them for exemplary leadership at Westmont and beyond. Student group leaders participate in monthly group leader gatherings in the fall term exploring and collaborating on the challenges they are facing and the skills they are developing in their current leadership roles.
The CLO helps students navigate their beginnings at Westmont through the Orientation program. Orientation welcomes new students to campus and transitions them to their new environment. In this process, students learn about the expectations and distinctives of a Westmont liberal arts education.
Finally, the CLO initiates creative educational programming in complement to the college mission through town hall meetings, biannual focus week programs and regular all student programs on relevant topics. Former programs have included topics such as dating and marriage, money management, spiritual growth and health and wellness. The Office also serves as a resource to other programming entities on campus by offering ideas, assistance and implementation strategies.