The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) officially launched the 15th run of the Ateneo Workshop on Ignatian Leadership for Life (A-WILL) virtually on January 29, 2021. Over 70 student leaders from various recognized student organizations have joined the said leadership webinar series, with the theme “i-gnatian Leadership: Transcending Boundaries.”

Kicking off the series, Fr. Wilfredo “Willy” M. Samson, S.J. presented the session, “Qualities of an Ignatian/Atenean Leader.” He briefly discussed the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and his leadership journey and experiences in forming and leading his religious order.

Fr. Samson, Chaplain of the Sacred Heart Mission Station, presented nine fundamental qualities that the Ignatian/Atenean leader must nurture. These are: (1) Magis, (2) Cura Personalis, (3) A Sinner yet called, (4) Discernment of Spirit, (5) Seeing God in all Things, (6) Going to the Periphery, (7) Cruci-Centrix (8) Suscipe or Total Self Offering, and (9) Good Follower. After the presentation, the participants gave their reactions to Fr. Samson’s presentation through a plenary sharing; some participants affirmed that they are able to practice these qualities, while others mentioned that they are still learning to acquire or master these qualities. The participants also requested for tips or guidance from the speaker on how they can better practice the aforementioned qualities.

Started in 2006, the A-WILL is the flagship of OSA’s Ateneo Leadership Program (ALDP), the overarching program for student leaders and organizations. Traditionally, the A-WILL is a 5-day leadership camp conducted at the onset of the new school year; however, given the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSA reconfigured it to a webinar series wherein participants can view the presentation of the speaker asynchronously and meet for a plenary session.