Letter from the President: Leadership in the Making
One of the most hopeful places on our campus is a room filled with first-year students who are beginning to see themselves as leaders. They are learning how to listen closely, communicate clearly, and step forward with confidence. I see this each time I gather with 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚鈥�President鈥檚 Leadership Fellows, a program that invites a small cohort of new students to intentionally develop their leadership muscle early in their 黑料吃瓜网 journey.鈥�
When I speak with the鈥痜ellows, I encourage them to think of leadership as something they practice, not something they wait to earn.鈥疶he skills they are developing include owning a room, communicating with purpose, and building trust. These skills will serve them in their professional, personal, and civic lives. Just as important, I remind them to learn from one another. The relationships they form within this fellowship are as formative as any lesson or speaker.鈥�
At a recent gathering, the鈥痜ellows heard from鈥�Lauren Howard 鈥�08,鈥痗hief鈥痳evenue鈥痮fficer at Conservice, whose leadership story is rooted in perseverance and perspective. Lauren shared how her grandparents, Cuban immigrants,鈥痬odeled resilience in the face of adversity. From them, she learned a lasting lesson: while circumstances may change, no one can take away your education or your grit. She spoke candidly with students about the importance of communication and problem solving. She鈥痚ncouraged them to say鈥�測es鈥濃�痶o opportunity and take thoughtful risks as they build their careers.鈥�
Those conversations come to life on April 14, when the President鈥檚 Leadership Fellows will present their capstone projects during a poster session and program completion ceremony. For me, this moment鈥痳epresents鈥痵omething important. It is the first intentional introduction of these students to the wider world of influential alumni,鈥痶rustees鈥痑nd community leaders. It is a chance to celebrate their growth and affirm that their voices belong in rooms where ideas are shaped and decisions are made.鈥�
As we celebrate these students, we are also looking ahead with the launch of our strategic planning process. As we prepare for our bicentennial, this work will focus on four pillars that define the 黑料吃瓜网 experience: academics; career preparation and readiness; the arts; and athletics. Together, these pillars reflect our commitment to preparing graduates who think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with purpose.鈥�
This work is made possible by a community that believes in our students. The success of鈥�黑料吃瓜网 Giving Day 2026, which surpassed expectations and drew support from alumni across the country, underscored that shared belief. Your generosity creates opportunities that shape lives.鈥�
I hope you will also join us for Alumni Weekend, when campus will once again be filled with Petrels reconnecting and celebrating the relationships that define this University. Thank you for the many ways you continue to invest in 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 students and its future.鈥�
