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We believe EVERYONE has the potential to be a leader!
We at LEAD help students to develop as effective, ethical leaders through a series of workshops, conferences, classes, speakers, dialogues, and retreats. Our programs provide opportunities to develop a strong sense of self, augment critical thinking and interpersonal skills, develop global and cultural competencies, and cultivate organizational skills for transition into the professional world.
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| Welcome to the LEAD newsletter! We have lots of exciting ways to get involved in the LEAD office this year which we will be highlighting through our monthly newsletters, including events, workshops, and service opportunities. We hope to see you soon at some of our upcoming programming throughout the upcoming semester!
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| Virtual Leadership Connection Cohort Series
Friday, March 10th from 11:00am - 12:00pm
Want to gain leadership experience? Interested in learning about cutting-edge leadership trends relevant to all careers? Join us for the Leadership Connection Cohort Series! This is a three-session series where students and staff can learn about various leadership topics that can be applied to current and future courses, careers, and social change. Participants that attend all 3 sessions will receive a certificate of completion, in addition to a t-shirt!
For students: This program will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of leadership and offer ways in which you can incorporate leadership behaviors within your own life. Through this program, you will be able to gain leadership experience in a non-positional setting that will also be beneficial for professional experience and resume-building.
For staff: This program will be beneficial to learn from and engage with students from varying backgrounds and perspectives. Discussions can offer new ways of thinking that can be considered for future courses and can be applied to your own department’s leadership culture.
Our second session for the Leadership Connection Cohort Series is on Friday, March 10th from 11:00am-12:00pm focused on Global Health and Leadership. Through this workshop, our goal is to solidify leadership qualities motivated by those planning to help communities battling with disparities and health threats.
For more information, or to register please: CLICK HERE.
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| Virtual Leadership Certificate Series
Tuesday, March 21st from 5:00pm - 6:00pm
The LEAD Office is excited to announce the launch of our first ever Student VIRTUAL Leadership Certificate Series for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Student Leadership Certificate Series is designed to provide students with the opportunities to:
- Connect with other students around various topics of leadership in a cohort experience
- Develop a variety of different leadership skills and strengthen one's own personal leadership skills
- Identify ways you can help make a positive change in our communities
- Develop an understanding of one's personal leadership values are and how they influence one's leadership style
- Engage in a variety of leadership sessions that focus on leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and social change
The next upcoming workshop is on Leadership Communication and will be held on Tuesday, March 21st from 5:00pm-6:00pm via Zoom. This interactive virtual workshop allows for students to complete the True Colors assessment. Students will have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of themselves based on their personality temperament. Students will also be able to gain more insight into different motivations, actions, and communication approaches as it connects to leadership.
For more information, or to register please: CLICK HERE.
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| Share Your Mason Story: Mason Student Commencement Speaker
Are you graduating this spring with your undergraduate or graduate degree from Mason? Interested in sharing your journey and experience as a Mason student with others?
You could be the 2023 Spring Commencement Student Speaker on May 18th in EagleBank Arena!
Mason is looking for graduating students who are interested in sharing their Mason journey and experience to serve as this year's 2023 Spring Commencement Student Speaker. If you are interested in applying please see the information below for more details.
Commencement Speaker Details
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All upcoming graduates (undergraduate and graduate level) are invited to be considered for the Spring 2023 Commencement student speaker honor.
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Submit your original script for a graduation speech that can be publicly performed between 5-7 minutes in Eagle Bank Arena on May 18th in front of a large live audience.
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Please note that the length of speech must be adhered to without exception.
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In addition to submitting your speech, we also ask that you submit a copy of your resume.
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Coaching and opportunities to practice and refine your speech will be provided to the student selected.
All submissions are judged by an impartial panel including representation by members of the administration, faculty, staff and students. After round one selections the committee will invite students to submit their recorded speeches for final selection by April 10th. The 2023 Commencement Student Speaker will be announced that week.
The goal is to share and showcase your “Mason story” and how you describe your overall Mason experience and growth as a student and member of the university community. We encourage you to:
- discuss all facets of your campus life experience
- focus on your graduating class and your experiences together with an eye toward your future
- engage the graduating class and their guests as a whole
If you wish to be considered, submit your speech by 11:59pm on March 19th to Alissa Karton, Assistant to the Vice President for University Life, at akarton@gmu.edu.
Speeches along with your name, college, email address and cell number must be included on your written submission.
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| Mason LeaderShape Institute
23 May - 26 May 2023
(APPLICATION DEADLINE: 21 APRIL 2023)
The LeaderShape® Institute™ challenges participants to lead with integrity™ while working towards a vision grounded in their deepest values. Participants explore not only what they want to do, but who they want to be. Dynamic, challenging, and exciting, the program is intended to produce a breakthrough in the leadership capacity of participants—benefiting them individually, as well as their respective communities and the organizations they will go on to lead and serve in the future.
We are excited to share that each student participating will receive their own room in Taylor Hall to stay overnight for 3 nights, all meals and program materials are provided, and students will also receive an official LeaderShape Institute t-shirt. The Mason LeaderShape Institute is a fully immersive and engaging leadership experience and we have found that participants gain the most from the program when being able to participate in the program in its entirety (please do not schedule anything else during these dates so you can fully experience and be a part of the community that we create).
The deadline to apply is April 21, 2023. Space is limited so be sure to submit your application ASAP. To learn more about why you should attend or to apply for the 2023 Mason LeaderShape Institute - CLICK HERE
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| Right, Wrong or Different? Global Perspectives on Mass Shootings (held on 22 February 2023)
The annual Right, Wrong, or Different? event was held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 in collaboration with LEAD, OIPS, Professor Al Fuertes, and Brian Royer. Right, Wrong, or Different? invites students to join in interactive dialogue with other Mason students and faculty, to explore how culture—our own and others’—affects how we perceive, interact, and lead. Since fall 2013 the LEAD Office and International Programs and Services have co-hosted the co-curricular event "Right, Wrong or Different?" This program is designed to bring together international and domestic students for conversations across difference.
The event last month was engaging, and addressed conversations about different definitions of "mass shootings" which are often debated by politicians and world leaders and the fact that gun shootings and gun deaths have become an epidemic worldwide. Individuals who attended the event had the chance to explore and debate questions such as how are "mass shootings" defined?, What side of the gun debate issue they support?, as well as What skills can be acquired to help address the many factors contributing to gun violence? During this interactive program, we discussed how the United States' view on guns is similar & different from other countries/cultures, as well as the many factors contributing to gun violence and ways to become active in the community to help reduce gun violence and make the world a safer place to live.
We had 34 people in attendance at the event, and here is an overview of what participants who completed the final evaluation thought:
- 100% agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend the program to others (77% strongly agreed; 23% agreed)
- 100% agreed or strongly agreed that "As a result of this program, I was exposed to different viewpoints (e.g., viewpoints from people from different cultures)." (62% strongly agreed; 38% agreed)
Some additional comments about the program:
What individuals liked about the program:
- “I liked the group activities where we moved around the room based on whether we agreed or disagreed with the various statements.”
- “The statistics and also the safe space of talking about this topic since many have different viewpoints”
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| Diversity Leadership Summit (held on 4 March 2023)
We had the first ever Diversity Leadership Summit in collaboration with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (and with the support of many amazing UL partners) on Saturday, 4 March 2023, and the event was a huge success!
The Diversity Leadership Summit was an opportunity for members of the campus community to come together in various ways to learn, collaborate, and teach about social justice issues that impact our campus, our local communities and beyond. This summit helped to build capacity to have critical dialogue, expand consciousness of self and others, and helped create liberating and equitable practices, all of which increases student leadership development. The Diversity Leadership Summit aimed to engage in narrative change work by uplifting and centering various sites of knowledge, voices, and experiences, including the ways knowledge is embodied. The Summit aimed to empower our students, faculty, and staff to leverage not only their research but also their lived experiences, ideas, and insights to tell more inclusive and complex stories of the past, present, and future of our campus and communities. We had an amazing and powerful keynote speaker, Dr. Bettina L. Love, to kick off the conference on an empowering and inspiring note, and had various sessions led by individuals of the Mason community!
We had over 50 people in attendance at the event, and here is an overview of what participants who completed the final evaluation thought:
- 100% agreed or strongly agreed that as a result of the Diversity Leadership Summit, they better understood how their various identities impact them
- 95% agreed or strongly agreed that as a result of the Diversity Leadership Summit, they knew what action(s) they would like to take as a leader to help create positive change.
- 100% agreed or strongly agreed that as a result of the Diversity Leadership Summit, they were better able to recognize how different perspectives, experiences, and voices add value.
- 100% agreed or strongly agreed that they learned something useful at the Diversity Leadership Summit.
Some additional comments about the program:
What individuals learned:
- "I learned about how to effectively address diversity and use it to empower my everyday life!"
- "I learned the importance of continued learning."
- "The importance of cross-cultural teamwork"
- " 'The failure to educate Black & Brown children to their potential is this country’s loss!' - Dr. Bettina Love"
- "There’s space for joy!"
- "Empathy is important to leadership. Leadership + intersectionality = more empathy"
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"Listen to understand and use your differences as strengths in leadership."
- "I learned that I should be a co-conspirator not an ally."
What individuals liked about the program:
- Many people mentioned that they enjoyed Dr. Bettina Love's keynote
- "I loved how accommodating you were to everyone’s personal and dietary needs, and how friendly, organized, and informational everything was!"
- "The variety of sessions"
- "The opportunity to have break out rooms and have in-depth discussions."
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"Community"
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| Sam Whetzler (left) & Nicole Brandt (right)
Nicole BrandtClass Year - Junior (Graduating in 2025)
LEAD Position - Leadership Consultant
Major & Minor - Biology Pre-Physician's Assistant Pathway
What are some of your hobbies? Weightlifting, Hiking.
Where is your favorite place on campus to hang out? And why? My favorite would be the ground floor of Exploratory Hall. There are cushioned seats for sinking in while you dive into research for a lab or are solving various life problems.
What is your favorite LEAD Program? My favorite LEAD program would be the Leadership Conference! I really enjoyed meeting students who come from different backgrounds and learning about new perspectives. I was able to co-facilitate a leadership workshop and help students in understanding how their personal values showed up in their daily routine.
What do you like doing during your free time? In my free time I like to take the metro with friends to DC and explore the area.
What are some interesting facts about yourself? I love baking and making special cakes and treats for friends on birthdays, and I am a Paramedic and am involved in the EMS Club at GMU! I also love teaching individuals about EMS and how to get involved in the community.
What have you enjoyed most about working in the LEAD office so far? The “can do” atmosphere has been dependable. I can say I have truly built a connection with all my co-workers. I know I can ask for anything and won’t be judged.
What is your favorite TV show or movie and why? Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki because throughout the movie Chihiro battles with maintaining her identity and falling to the temptations of other’s opinions. There is a powerful message to always remember who you are. I resonate with that message and believe that confidence is key and can bloom in strange places.
What do you think is the most beautiful part of campus? The tree-lined walkway by Mason Pond.
What is something interesting/the most important thing you have learned about leadership from your time in the LEAD office so far? It is okay to let others take the wheel if you are not so sure about something and to fall on them for reassurance, you may learn more about yourself that way.
What is your favorite quote about leadership? "The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to help people to think more highly of themselves "- J. Carla Northcutt.
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| Sam whetzlerClass Year - First-Year (Graduating in 2026)
LEAD Position - Leadership Consultant
Major & Minor - Business concentrating in Accounting
What are some of your hobbies? Painting, volunteering, and shopping.
Where is your favorite place on campus to hang out? And why? Random classrooms in Horizon Hall, the microphone makes me feel special.
What is your favorite LEAD Program? Alumni Speaker Series with the First-generation students.
What do you like doing during your free time? Watching Tik Toks.
What are some interesting facts about yourself? I have broken 2 bones, I am a big painter, and I love to build Legos in my free time.
What have you enjoyed most about working in the LEAD office so far? The LEAD family
What is your favorite TV show or movie and why? My favorite movie is Ghostbusters simply because it is just so much fun to watch with friends.
What do you think is the most beautiful part of campus? The Zen Garden behind Horizon
What is something interesting/the most important thing you have learned about leadership from your time in the LEAD office so far? That everyone has potential to do anything their heart desires - there may just be a few extra steps.
What is your favorite quote about leadership? "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves"
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| LEAD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
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The LEAD Office currently has paid student employee positions available for graduate and undergraduate students to apply to for Fall 2023 below! Check out our website for more information: https://lead.gmu.edu/employment/
Graduate Professional Assistant(position is for graduate students only) Apply by March 22, 2023
The LEAD Graduate Professional Assistant (GA) will be an integral part of the LEAD team, helping to provide leadership training, resources, services, and recognition to empower all Mason students to become more effective, ethical leaders.
The LEAD GA will assist in the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of major LEAD office programming. They will co-supervise the Student Leadership Consultants with the Associate Director, serve as a teaching assistant for the Ethics and Leadership course (INTS 404), and facilitate leadership workshops.
For best consideration, please apply by March 22, 2023, but we may accept applications after that date. To apply for this position, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and the contact information of three professional references to:
Phil Rippa, Office Manager
The LEAD Office
To learn more about the eligibility requirements and what the position entails: CLICK HERE
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Leadership Consultant(position is for undergraduate students only)
Apply by May 19, 2023
Are you interested in working with the LEAD Office and serving as a Student Leadership Consultant? Do you who have a passion for ethics and leadership? Are you committed to sustainable service? Are you interested in providing leadership training and education for your fellow peers? Do you want to make a positive difference through active leadership? Are you interested in engaging and collaborating with others around leadership, civic engagement, ethics, service, and activism?
If you enjoy all of these different things, then the Leadership Consultant position is a great opportunity for you to consider. Leadership Consultants serve as a representative of George Mason University and the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Office by empowering and inspiring Mason students to lead to the best of their ability with integrity and passion. A Leadership Consultant (LC) must be a mature student who desires to grow and to help others to grow in the various areas of leadership by working as part of the LEAD Office. Leadership Consultants will be responsible for planning, developing, and facilitating educational leadership programs that will appeal to the diverse population at George Mason University while also supporting the day-to-day operations of the LEAD Office.
To apply for the 2023-2024 Leadership Consultant position: CLICK HERE. The deadline to apply is May 19, 2023 at 5:00pm.
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