LeaderShape Institute develops translatable skills

March 14, 2023 - DENTON – Thirty-two Texas Woman's University students recently participated in the second annual LeaderShape Institute at Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center.

The event, sponsored by the Center for Student Leadership, was a four-day intensive leadership training retreat focused on developing translatable leadership skills.

Students were formed into family clusters, and six TWU staff members served as coaches. Activities included group discussions, intensive small group dialogue, team building challenge courses, mapping their visions of the future and simulation activities over power, privilege, and group dynamics.

The goal was for participants to hone in on the values that they want to live by and connect with their passions, and create blueprints for the future in causes like healthcare, eliminating food insecurity and women’s empowerment.

“You watch students go through a transformation,” said Chris Scanlan, associate director for the Center for Student Leadership. “They come in either unsure of their vision and abilities or aware of them in a limited capacity. Believing that they are alone in this endeavor, it may be intimidating at first. But, as the week goes by, they connect with each other and transform themselves into agents of change. Programs like this give students the power to impact the world.”

“Since LSI, I have grown more decisive and less unsure about what I want and what opportunities and goals I want to grow towards," said participant ToQuyen Nguyen. "I am more focused on finding opportunities to work in mental health and volunteer with over the summer."

Two months after the 2023 LeaderShape Institute, the Center for Student Leadership hosted a reunion for alumni of the 2022 and 2023 camps to reconnect and check their progress.

“Since LeaderShape, I have been getting involved in many leadership opportunities on campus," Divine Bila said. "I have attended The Forté National Campus to Business Leadership Conference, Catalyst workshop and more. I have been able to have a better understanding of who I am as a leader and as an individual.”

“One way I have been moving toward my vision one year out of LeaderShape is I am part of a dental professional society so I can present my undergraduate research," Emily Keene said. "I am networking and getting involved in the dental world. My research is also opening doors for graduate school and is preparing me for my future education.”

“I got accepted into nursing school," Jayla Jackson said. "By August next year, I will be a nurse. I’ve been applying for scholarships and one of them will pay for me to travel to different nursing homes around the country and will help me start my non-profit."

The Center for Student Leadership is part of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. The institute is dedicated to preparing women to take roles in business and public service. Its specialized centers ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to run for public office.