Scholarship and LeaderShape

Being a college student-athlete and participant in the Miss America Organization, means I am very concerned about scholarship. Most people hear the word "scholarship" and automatically gravitate toward the definition of "a grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement." While this aspect of scholarship is what makes my attendance at Temple University possible, I want to focus on the lesser used definition of scholarship - "academic study or achievement; learning on a high level"

As a student majoring in Exercise and Sport Science with minors in Nutrition and Psychology, I take my academics very seriously. Each semester I work to keep my 4.0 and try to put what I am learning into practice. I love what I am learning and there is not a day that goes by where what I am learning does not reinforce the importance of my social impact initiative -- Preventing Disease by Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle.

One of the areas of scholarship (academic study/learning) which is sometimes overlooked is leadership. This is because many people believe leaders are born or that leadership is in the genes. While it may be true some people are born with predispositions toward leadership traits, I believe leadership can be learned and developed. This is why I applied to participate in Temple University's LeaderShape Institute this summer.

LeaderShape is "an intensive, energizing, and unique six-day experience that involves self-discovery and learning from practical experiences that build leadership capacities. It is intense fun in a relaxed environment." The goal of this program is to challenge "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." LeaderShape has the potential to be life-changing.

After I submitted by application for LeaderShape, I waited and waited and waited some more. Eventually I learned I was chosen to participate in this experience. I know the six-day program will be invaluable as it will allow me the opportunity to remove myself from the busyness of life and focus and reflect on leadership and the person I aspire to be.

So on Mother's Day, my mom did what she always does - she put my benefit above herself and got up early to brave the rain, traffic, and an accident on the Schuylkill Expressway to ensure I was in Philadelphia at the designated meeting point by 8:30 in the morning. Once outside the Student Center at Temple University, I met up with the other participants and boarded the Temple bus to head out to Camp Canadensis where I have begun my LeaderShape experience.

I am looking forward to what this week will hold and I will be forever grateful to Temple University for selecting me to participate in the LeaderShape experience. Leadership is invaluable and it an academic pursuit more people should study. As Warren Bennis stated, "The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.” 

Here is to my future as a #TempleMade leader.