Welcome to the Office of Student Affairs
We will help you integrate into the vibrant student community at Webster Geneva. Students can make the most of their time at Webster Geneva by attending any of our events or by joining one of the many student clubs or associations. Our office is also home to the Webster LEADS program.
As a current student you will have access to the student lounge, study room and gym. Come by the office to find out more information about what we can offer you on campus and how you can get involved.
The electronic Student Affairs Newsletter brings you news regarding upcoming events, conferences, workshops and other Webster Geneva Campus related news on a bi-weekly basis. Once you are enrolled, you will receive these valuable news announcements at your webster.edu email account.
Meet Our Student Services and Events Manager
Dounia El Jaouhari is here to help and guide students throughout their Webster Geneva experience!
Transcript
[Music]
[Ariel view of Webster Geneva Campus.]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo, Staff Highlight, Dounia El Jaouhari, Student Services and Events Manager
[Dounia El Jaouhari sits on chair in the grassy area outside of the Webster Geneva building.]
El Jaouhari: Hi, my name is Dounia El Jaouhari, and I'm the Student Services Manager here at Webster Geneva Campus. I studied in the hospitality management sector and then continued working for about seven or eight years in the luxury hospitality environment in Switzerland and overseas, as well. I was offered an opportunity to work at Webster, but not only that, I saw that there was an opportunity for me to create interactions and experiences that go beyond just a service experience, so I really was able to take on this new challenge, and I was happy to do it.
I started working back in 2022 as an Events Coordinator and then moved up as a Student Services Manager about a year ago. The unit that I share with my colleague, Lucelia, our Events Coordinator, is about events, but we also offer guidance to the Student Government Association, the WHA, which is the Webster Humanitarian Association, and the LEADS program. Part of the activities is that we are organizing a yearly cycle of events, experiences, workshops, academic signature events – liaising with different units such as Academic Affairs, the Alumni unit, Counseling, Career Services, and really create meaningful experiences and events that really cater to students' needs and expectations, for them to make the most of their stay here at Webster.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
El Jaouhari: Personally, it's such a fulfilling experience and enriching for any student who chooses to come here to Webster Geneva, in the sense that they are also part of a community and a network that they can make the most of with many opportunities inside and outside of classes, as well, so taking part in different events, workshops, and networking opportunities. We are here to create those bridges that allow them to make the most of their stay here at Webster.
Make sure to pass by the Student Services office — it's an open-door policy. We are here to guide and help the students throughout the experience, from orientation up to graduation. So just feel free to stop by. We'd be happy to either chat or answer your questions, as well.
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo
[Outgoing music]
Student Affairs Information
Webster Geneva Campus offers a variety of opportunities designed to help you build a close-knit community on campus and beyond. Explore the many ways of getting involved with different clubs and organizations on campus, expand your leadership skills and enhance your academic and social life at Webster Geneva.
Learn … Evolve … Apply … Develop … Serve … LEADS
In today’s real world, learning about leadership is more important than ever before. We want you to receive the tools necessary to succeed in our global society. We want you to have the right knowledge and the right skills to become leaders.
Mission Statement
WebsterLEADS is an on-going application of scholarship and practical leadership experience empowering our diverse student population to develop and excel as global citizens. Through a collaborative process between our students, staff, faculty, and the communities where we live and serve, we prepare our students with the knowledge, education and development to assume leadership on campus, in society and in the global workforce.
We achieve this mission by:
- Recognizing and expanding upon the skills and gifts students possess.
- Creating environments that foster personal reflection, significant relationships, diverse points of view, and student learning.
- Providing opportunities for students to develop and apply their own philosophy and approach to leadership.
- Expecting students to serve as role models and educators within the Webster University community worldwide.
The core components of the program include:
- Leadership Classes.
- Leadership Retreats.
- Professional Development Workshops.
- Service Learning Project.
- Practical Leadership Experience.
Achieving the Leadership Certificate requires completion of a process we call the “5+2 System,” in which participants complete five core areas listed above, and repeat any two of them.
Work Study Scholarship Program
Some accepted practical leadership experience can be gained within the Work Study Scholarship (WSS) program. The WSS program at Webster Geneva Campus was created to:
- Provide scholarship opportunities for students needing financial assistance.
- Provide services Webster University could not otherwise provide without qualified student assistants.
- Serve as many students as possible, with reasonable continuity.
Some of the accepted positions (if carried out by an undergraduate) for Practical Leadership Experience (PLE) within the WSS are:
- Resident assistant
- Graduation ceremony assistant
- Alumni office assistant
Other on-campus accepted positions are:
- Front desk management
- Football captain
- Campus activities coordinator
- Orientation leader
- Student Government president
- NSO student leader
How do I know that I have the potential for this educational challenge?
If you can say “Yes” to the following questions, you are made for WebsterLEADS. Come and join this fantastic educational adventure.
- Are you eager to take charge of great projects?
- Do you like to take initiatives?
- Can you see yourself develop as an individual while inspiring others?
- Do you see yourself capable of making a difference to your environment?
- Are you excited about sharing ideas and responsibilities?
- Do you believe in unifying groups of people to achieve something bigger than could ever be achieved individually?
The concept of a leadership program is to develop and enhance various different sets of skills, methodologies and ideas. Leadership programs enlighten various aspects of life and teach important life skills, such as self-analysis, cultural sensitivity, moral awareness, people skills and expertise in decision-making.
Quick Reflection on Service-Learning
A lesson learned from the experience:
“If you have the right mind set, a single week truly can shape a lifetime.”
If I could do it all over again I would…
”continue building relationships with the other volunteers creating lifelong friendships.”
Annual Student Events
August
Week 1 BBQ — The Week 1 Welcome Back BBQ, organized by the Student Government Association (SGA) takes place the week after orientation. The entire Webster community is invited to this fun-filled event with good food, music and games.
September
October
Halloween Party — The Halloween Party is the first official party of the year, organized by the SGA. Members of the Webster Geneva community are encouraged to dress up and join the Halloween celebration taking place off campus.
November
Global Thanksgiving — Global Thanksgiving is Webster Geneva’s signature event celebrating the multitude of cultures represented on campus. At the event, students, faculty and staff prepare traditional dishes from their countries to share with the Webster community.
Games Night — Games night is an evening of music, board games and videogames, organized by the SGA. The football enthusiasts compete in the FIFA tournament and the winner gets a prize.
December
Winter Break!
January
Zermatt Ski Trip — The yearly ski trip to Zermatt is a Student Affairs organized weekend where a group of students go to Zermatt alpine resort to enjoy a weekend away. They have the opportunity to partake in various activities including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating as well as an option to visit a local spa.
February
Delegates Agenda — Delegates’ Agenda is an SGA forum in which students present to the administration the top five issues or areas that need improvement at Webster Geneva. The administration picks three of those five topics and holds a presentation on planned improvements.
Webster’s Got Talent Geneva — Webster’s Got Talent is a talent show and competition that takes place every year. The show normally includes performances by singers, comedians, dancers and it is open to all students on the Webster Geneva campus. The top two winners have the opportunity to compete in the finals at Webster’s Got Talent Europe.
March/April
Football Tournament — The Football tournament is a competition between football teams from various Webster Campuses in Europe. The tournament is comprised of multiple qualifying rounds in one day.
Webster’s Got Talent Europe — Webster’s Got Talent Europe is the talent show in which all European campuses send the winners of their own shows in order to compete for the number one spot.
May
Graduation!
Dounia El Jaouhari
Student Services Manager
Phone: +41 22 959 8076
Email: Geneva.studentservices@webster.edu
