What is a Student Leadership Intern?
Student Leadership Interns (or SLIs for short) are former Cumorah Academy students. After studying for a semester at Cumorah, they wanted to return as interns. SLIs have taken the next step in their Cumorah journey by applying to become leaders and support systems for the current student body. Just as they received guidance during their own time as students, SLIs play a vital role in creating a positive and enriching experience for the next generation of Cumorah learners. They wear many hats: offering academic support, fostering a sense of community within their house groups, and acting as a bridge between students and Academy staff.
What is a House Group?
Another great question!
When you come to Cumorah, you are sorted into a group. The groups are Ruth, Isaiah, Nephi, Esther, and Moroni. These groups are your family away from home.
Students hang out with their groups, participate in weekly activities, service projects, home evenings, and more. You’ll compete as a group for the House Cup. Groups are important at Cumorah.
As such, the person in charge of helping the group run smoothly is also very important. These people are SLIs. One of the SLIs’ main responsibilities is to lead their group. They help the group have fun and ensure they do what they are supposed to do. If you are ever struggling, the SLI is someone you can turn to with any concerns. They are here to help and support you.
The next time you see an SLI, be sure to give them a friendly wave! They’re there to help make your time at Cumorah successful and fulfilling.
SLI Responsibilities
In addition to leading a house group, SLIs are given other responsibilities as well.
There is an activity committee that helps plan the fun activities that happen at Cumorah. That committee is led by an SLI. Other responsibilities for SLIs include technology support, helping the mentors every week, serving as Trip Coordinator, and acting as Scholarship Work Advisor.
Meet the SLIs
Let’s take a minute now to meet three of our SLIs this semester: Alyona, Andrea, and Cristina.
We feel so lucky and blessed to have these amazing individuals on the Cumorah team! They were awesome students and are doing great things for their groups and for Cumorah as a whole.
We are excited to introduce them to you.
Alyona (Nephi Group)
Meet Alyona, the friendly face guiding the Nephi group as their SLI! Alyona enjoys expressing her creativity through painting and jamming on the ukulele with friends.
Alyona’s journey to becoming an SLI stemmed from her positive experience at Cumorah. The supportive environment helped her develop her leadership skills and ignited a passion for helping others.
Now, she serves as a valuable resource for the Nephi group, offering academic support, guidance, and a listening ear. Finding fulfillment in assisting students, Alyona cherishes moments when she can provide them with the same support she received as a student.
A fun fact about Alyona: The first time she ever played UNO was while she was a student at Cumorah. (She jokingly claims she was “forced” to play!)
The best part about being an SLI for Alyona is the chance to give back to Cumorah. She says, “It’s been good to be a part of my group. It’s interesting to see Cumorah from another perspective, where you carry so many more responsibilities and each one of your actions can affect people’s views of this place and their decisions. What I love the most here is that every voice matters.”
Andrea (Esther Group)
Meet Andrea! Andrea is 21 and is from Spain. She is interested in technology; in fact, before Cumorah, she was studying microcomputer systems and networks.
Andrea leads the Esther group at Cumorah and also works with the Activity Committee to create fun activities and parties for Cumorah to enjoy!
When she’s not working with technology and computer systems, Andrea enjoys curling up with a good book, getting lost in her favorite music, or simply taking walks and being outside in nature.
In talking with Andrea, it’s evident that her desire for personal growth and leadership qualities drew her to this role. Andrea said, “While being here as an SLI at Cumorah, I’ve been learning how to become a better leader. I am also learning patience and growing closer to the Lord.”
We’re excited to see what kind of creative activities she brings to the Esther house group!
Cristina (Ruth Group)
Meet Cristina, the warm and spirited SLI guiding the Ruth group! This 24-year-old Italian powerhouse has a social health technical diploma, and when she’s not busy caring for others, she enjoys expressing herself through piano.
Cristina’s path to becoming an SLI began after her transformative semester at Cumorah. Inspired by her own growth experience, she saw an opportunity to influence positive change within the Academy. As Cristina puts it, “Cumorah changed me, and I believed it was a growth opportunity for me to have a voice in some changes to be made.”
In her role, Cristina serves as a pillar of support for the Ruth group, guiding them on their journeys at Cumorah. While she acknowledges the challenges and stepping outside her comfort zone, Cristina finds immense satisfaction in pushing her leadership skills and getting to know her students on a deeper level.
Her experience as an SLI hasn’t been without its hurdles. Cristina admits, “I have to admit it has been very stressful and exhausting. But I know good things don’t come easy. I know this all has a purpose, and I’m grateful to be here!” Despite the pressures, her dedication to providing an excellent student experience shines through.
Meet the SLI Supervisor
Polina, a member of the Cumorah Academy staff from Ukraine, works directly with SLIs as part of her job. Polina started as a student in Fall 2022 and has stayed with Cumorah Academy since then. She currently works as the SLI supervisor. She is amazing, and chances are, if you become an SLI, you’ll get to work with her too.
Her job involves weekly training meetings with the SLIs, helping them stay updated on any events or information they (and their groups) should know about, and coordinating their work. Polina helps the SLIs stay motivated and excel in their extra responsibilities.
When asked what she would like to say to future SLIs, Polina said, “A great leader is a great servant. To be an SLI means to serve people in your group, to love them without any judgment. As an SLI, you need to find a way to connect with, get to know, and understand each member of your group. You are there to be their friend and help them feel love and support.”
How do you become an SLI?
In order to be an SLI, you have to be a student first. Once you’ve been a student at Cumorah for a semester, you can follow these steps to apply:
1 – Shine During Your First Semester: Successful SLI candidates establish themselves by demonstrating strong academic performance (high grades!), a positive attitude, and a consistent presence in classes (good attendance rate).
2 – Submit Your Application: Once you’ve completed your first semester, you can officially throw your hat in the ring by submitting a digital application form.
3 – If your application impresses the selection committee, you’ll be invited to interview and showcase your leadership potential.
4 – Following the interview, there may be a period of observation to assess your leadership skills in action.
Step 5 – After a thorough evaluation process, you’ll receive the final answer – yes or no – about becoming an SLI.
Apply Now!
If you were already a student at Cumorah, apply to be an SLI! We’d love to have you back.
If you haven’t been to Cumorah, apply to be a student and, after your first semester, you could also become an SLI. Both semesters will be full of growth, fun, and learning. We’d love to have you.
Written by Mack Fontano
Hi! I’m Mack, the content creator intern at Cumorah Academy for the Spring 2024 semester! I am from Utah in the United States and recently graduated from college in Communications and Digital Marketing. I love reading, writing – especially poetry, and drawing and I collect stickers!
Photos by Camila Caraveo
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
