LEAP Cohort 6

Political Science/Philosophy double major

Co-Coordinator for Belmont Mentoring Program through the Civic Engagement Office

What made you want to step up as a leader on campus?

I was really involved in community service projects and starting projects of my own back in high school. I wanted to transfer some of my skills and experiences over to Bryn Mawr. LEAP made that possible by providing me with the training necessary to help bring out my confidence, and to shape me to be a better leader. Why Belmont? It was my first year participating in the mentoring program, and the “Coordinator” position opened up. It was a combination of my commitment to the mentoring program, my LEAP training, and a nudge from a friend that I took the “leap.”

How do you think LEAP has impacted your leadership and academic skills?

LEAP has helped me immensely in my position as Co-Coordinator. That’s not to say that LEAP isn’t applicable elsewhere. For me, I really enjoyed the “bus activity/analogy.” Knowing what you need in order to get a project off the ground, but also knowing when to “abandon the bus.”

How do you handle feeling overwhelmed or overburdened by your different responsibilities on campus?

I know I say: “I know what my limits are, especially after all these years!” But, it’s still a learning process. I would like to think that I have “it” more figured out than I did in previous years, but balancing academics and clubs/service projects is still a challenge. I know about myself that I personally like being busy, as opposed to having nothing to do. So, the push-and-pull from all directions is welcome.

How to de-stress: running and hot yoga, or a bowl of avocado fudge, because sometimes it’s necessary to treat yourself.

What is your most memorable LEAP experience, either as a program participant or as an alumnae?

The capstone project. Definitely the capstone project. I chose the AWLU (Asian Women Leadership University) project, and worked with Maggie Xiao. We were tested on the very first day: How do we fundraise for the AWLU initiative if there is no start-up or seed money? So, as a group, we decided to change our goal. Instead of fundraising taking center stage, we organized a paneled-discussion, and invited Professors and the Founder of the AWLU to speak on “Women’s Education in an International Context.”

Have you found that your leadership style has changed since graduating from LEAP? How so?

Back when I started LEAP, I decided that I was a warrior. But years later, I think I’m actually a combination of warrior and artist–conflicting, I know. I still take charge whenever I can, but I’ve come to learn to let go, so that others can lead and learn from their experiences as well. I say artist, because I allow my emotions (i.e. empathy) influence some of my decisions.

What has been your most joyful memory at Bryn Mawr?

Convocation, thus far. Senior year has so many ups!

What was the greatest challenge you have ever faced at Bryn Mawr?

Writing my first Plato paper for Professor Dostal. You would not believe how difficult that was.

What advice would you give to freshmen, sophomore, and junior students at Bryn Mawr?

Take risks now. Enjoy your time here. You don’t know how quickly it goes by.

LEAP Cohort 7

Computer Science major, Philosophy minor

Peer Mentor for Brecon, President of Iron Owls, Portfolio Manager of Owl Investment Group, Tutor at Writing Center, Teaching Assistant for Computer Science Department

In three words, describe your LEAP experience.

Self-awareness, open-mindedness, confidence

What would you say you most appreciated gaining from LEAP?

I gained the ability to recognize that different people have different strengths, as well as discovering that the most efficient way to work in a group is to call on these strengths instead of limiting yourself to a single facet.

What was one challenging thing you learned about yourself or about leadership from LEAP?

Just because other people work differently doesn’t mean they will work worse or better, and often having a group of people that think differently will get you a better result for your group.

You recently took the initiative to start a club, Iron Owls, while on campus. How did the skills that you learned from LEAP aid you in that process?

LEAP helped me understand communicating efficiently and it helped me acknowledge the different viewpoints of my fellow club leaders. Because we all have different viewpoints, our club is a lot stronger.

You participated in LEAP as a freshman. Would you say that LEAP was helpful in adjusting to BMC?

LEAP helped me meet a lot of different people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I think it gives you a greater sense of the diversity of Bryn Mawr, and this diversity prevents you from slipping into a familiar place. In this way, LEAP helped introduce me to Bryn Mawr.

Is there a lesson you learned from LEAP that you would most like to tell your fellow Mawrters?

I would tell others that everyone leads in their own way, and that you have to do your best to work with others while also finding your own style.

Last summer, you did research at Indiana University with computer science. Would you say that LEAP helped you in this experience in any way?

I think LEAP helped me improve my communication and also help me be aware of the differing abilities of others I worked with. I worked on a team with another person, and it was helpful to do work on our own but also get involved with each other’s work and making our different strengths in different areas mesh together.

How have the skills you learned from LEAP helped you as a Peer Mentor?

I think the listening skills from LEAP are important because as a peer mentor, you’re not supposed to tell others what to do, but instead help others make their own decisions. So active listening is very important for this job, and that’s something we went over in LEAP.

You have a lot of leadership positions on campus. What advice would you tell other Mawrters who also want to be leaders on campus?

Be involved in whatever you’re doing: go to club meetings, actively participate, volunteer to help out, and show that you’re enthusiastic and willing to handle responsibility. See what you can do for others and how you can serve the club or organization in the best way that you can, instead of focusing on gaining prestige as a leader.

How do you balance being a leader and having responsibilities with your academic coursework?

It’s a matter of prioritizing what’s important. Honestly, you’re going to have to make sacrifices. Taking on and fulfilling the responsibility you have as a leader may require you to say “no” to other things you would otherwise want to do. Make sure to dedicate enough hours to your leadership position each week.

Last question: what have been your favorite memories at Bryn Mawr so far?

There have been so many! I loved Hell Week, May Day, and all the Traditions. Also, the sense of community at Bryn Mawr is great. I love the first day coming back to campus after a break. Whenever I accomplish something I was challenged by, that’s always a good feeling.