LeaderShape prepares for second year at Lehigh

After a successful first year as one of 75 universities offering the program, LeaderShape is preparing to begin its second year at Lehigh.

Ralph Jean-Noel, the LeaderShape student coordinator, speaks about the benefits of the program during an info session on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in the M Room. The info session was held to encourage prospective participants to sign up for the summer program. (Nan He/B&W photo)

The nationally recognized six-day program is designed to promote identity development and inclusive leadership.

Lehigh has been sending a few students to the national sessions held by LeaderShape every year since 2003, but it wasn’t until last year that the program was brought to Lehigh.

“Based on the student experiences and feedback and the nature of the campus climate, we felt that it made a lot of sense to bring LeaderShape to Lehigh, since it has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion,” said Christine Gravelle, the assistant Dean of Students and director of Leadership Develop and Civic Engagement.

Last May, following final exams, Lehigh’s first LeaderShape program was held at Camp Canadensis in the Poconos. Fifty-two students participated in leadership-based dialogues and activities in order to create their own “blueprint” for the future.

Students were encouraged to think outside of the box and make a combination of short- and long-term goals that they could strive toward on their return to Lehigh and throughout the rest of their lives. With these goals in mind, they could create an even greater vision of what they want to achieve in their lifetime.

“Ultimately, this experience challenges participants to create a blueprint plan grounded in their deepest values,” Gravelle said. “Students have the opportunity to learn about who they are, what they want to do, and who they want to be.”

The six-day program also incorporates a portion called “Day 7,” which includes all of the activities that occur once the students return to Lehigh. The students have the opportunity to choose a mentor who can assist them in their plans of action, and then each month, the students come back together to discuss their visions.

Eden Weinflash, ’17, a former participant of LeaderShape, said she heard of the program through a friend who had attended one of the national sessions. She applied and was accepted into the first program held by Lehigh.

“It was like an intellectual summer camp,” Weinflash said. “They really encouraged us to think outside of our ‘Lehigh bubble.’”

Weinflash was particularly interested by the Day 7 program. As a student of the five-year education program at Lehigh and on the path to becoming a teacher, her vision is to help children find their passion, something she feels will help them be more successful in school and in life.

With LeaderShape, she was able to discuss her vision and create plans to make it come to life. This discussion was first with other Lehigh students and is now with a mentor, who continues to help and guide her through her journey.

“This may sound cheesy, but it was a life-changing experience,” Weinflash said. “They made us believe we could change the world.”

Gravelle said she was thrilled with the results of the first LeaderShape program and is equally excited for its future at Lehigh.

“Students were asked to take a pre-test and a post-test, and their feedback showed significant gains in self-efficacy, ethical leadership skills and motivation for social issues advocacy,” she said. “That is absolute music to my ears as a leadership educator.”

According to Gravelle, 100 percent of the participants agreed that LeaderShape was a valuable experience and 100 percent of participants also agreed that they would recommend LeaderShape to others.

There are some changes being made, especially within the Day 7 program, based on feedback from last year’s program in order to continually make improvements based on the needs of the students.

Gravelle said she hopes students take advantage of this incredible opportunity to learn to have “a healthy disregard for the impossible” and make a difference not only at Lehigh, but around the world.

“I hope that 60 participants have a transformational experience at LeaderShape,” Gravelle said.

Applications for LeaderShape are due Feb. 15. All undergraduates are invited to apply. Contact the Office of Student Leadership Development with any questions or comments.