F&M Stories
Collaboration, Values and Inclusivity: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
顶级国产视频 & Marshall students are learning that leadership takes many forms 鈥� and often develops in unexpected places.
鈥淟eadership doesn鈥檛 always mean holding a recognized position in a club or a job,鈥� says Sarah Zeigler 鈥�28. 鈥淵ou can be a leader by listening. You can be a leader in your family, or in your class. Leadership can look different than what I previously believed it to be.鈥�
Zeigler is a member of the Diplomat Leadership Program, which supports and inspires F&M鈥檚 next generation of student leaders. Selected during the application process, Leadership Scholars embark on a four-year examination of what it means to be a leader, community member and changemaker during and beyond college.
鈥淲e want to offer students a head start in understanding who they are as leaders, community members and individuals, and how they will achieve their personal goals,鈥� says Director of Leadership Education Matt Thomas, a 2010 graduate of F&M. 鈥淭hey are realizing that a mixture of collaboration, strong values and a growth mindset can be a key to powerful and effective leadership.鈥�
F&M鈥檚 Leadership Scholars take part in monthly workshops and gain mentorship from staff and fellow students. They also venture into F&M鈥檚 home city of Lancaster to observe leadership in practice and get a firsthand look at how these principles translate into community impact. In February, they partnered with on a cultural tour of Lancaster County that introduced them to local leaders at , , , and .
For Alex Kotlarz 鈥�29, the most memorable part of the tour was a scavenger hunt at Central Market.
鈥淚 learned a lot about the people behind the stalls, and how much determination and cooperation it takes to provide customers with the goods they sell,鈥� Kotlarz says.
鈥淲e want to offer students a head start in understanding who they are as leaders,
community members and individuals, and how they will achieve their personal goals.鈥�
The students also got to experience the 鈥� rather chilly 鈥� outdoors at Climber鈥檚 Run, a nature preserve about 20 minutes south of campus. It was the best part of the trip for several students, including Zeigler. 鈥淲e learned about the role the conservancy staff plays in protecting the environment and providing access to the outdoors. And I really enjoyed taking a moment to listen to the calming and natural sounds that surrounded us.鈥�
Back on campus, regular workshops, dinners and networking events help the students craft and develop their own leadership styles and articulate their personal stories.
鈥淭he concepts we discuss in the program have allowed me to create a unique leadership mosaic, combining my individual style and values with the advice of mentors to fit the needs of the group,鈥� says Ava Valentin 鈥�29. 鈥淓ven in my first year, I have already had opportunities to apply these lessons to my involvement on campus and grow my confidence along with my leadership skills.鈥�
A key thread running through the program is 鈥渃onnection,鈥� which students say strengthens their leadership abilities and their bonds with each other.
鈥淲hile we have done a few valuable training sessions on connection and building our network, I have also found connection within our community to be so important,鈥� says Ceci Connolly 鈥�28. 鈥淥ur leadership cohort is composed of many people I might not have known without the program. Getting to build relationships with them and valuing our different skills and interests has been such an incredible and rewarding aspect of the program.鈥�
Do you want to be a leader and force of change in the world? Learn more about F&M鈥檚 Diplomat Leadership Program by contacting Thomas or .
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