LeaderShape Institute at Wake Forest University
This spring, LeaderShape and Wake Forest University partnered to host our inaugural LeaderShape Institute. Through self-assessment, intensive small group discussions, team-building challenges, and more, participants develop a vision for something they care about, bigger than themselves. A four-day immersive experience, the program brings together students and staff facilitators for a leadership opportunity that deepens, stretches, and challenges the integrity of student leaders.
In its first year, the program represented over 17 student organizations and nearly 30 participants, including resident advisors, ROTC members, and our student body president. This brought together a wide range of leadership experiences that collectively represent the Wake Forest student experience. See below to learn more about our participants’ experience as the first LeaderShape Institute cohort at Wake Forest.
Visit LeaderShape to learn more about its more than 30 years of experience working with 50+ collegiate partners to realize its vision of creating “a just, caring, and thriving world where all lead with integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible.”
“Leadership is less about position and more about guidance in achieving a certain vision with people who are different from you. I’m excited about the self-reflection that will come out of this experience as I evaluate how I’ve done leadership thus far and how this experience is teaching me how I’ll lead in the future.”
Hannah Elluru (’25), Student Body President
As the 2024-2025 Student Body President, Hannah is looking forward to how she will carry this experience into her leadership during her presidential term with Wake Forest Student Government. Hannah has participated in leadership conferences with other schools before, but LeaderShape is her first conference with fellow Wake Forest students, to which she is grateful. “Nobody understands the Wake Forest student experience better than the people who go here.”
“I want students to walk away being conscious of the choices they make. One voice can be the ripple effect that changes something; that’s how real change happens.“
Dr. Nikki Elston, Assistant Teaching Professor and Assistant Dean of Academic Advising
Dr. Nikki Elston believes LeaderShape is teaching students to be strong leaders collectively and collaboratively. One of four Wake Forest staff facilitators, Elston, a professor of counseling, is also a Faculty Fellow for The Forest, our residential commons model designed to intentionally connect students to each other through their residential experience at Wake Forest. She looks forward to the program building with even more first-year student voices. “I think first-year students are just trying to find their way, especially in their first semester; I would love to see more of them come to a space like this as their authentic selves, knowing that just because you’re not an upperclassman doesn’t mean you don’t know things, it just means that you know different things.”
“Leadership is about acting in accordance with your morals and values to inspire and influence people to do good. All of us have been on the outside before; I want to make sure that my leadership is inclusive and invites people in.”
Wednesday Smetak (’26), ROTC Cadet
Introduced to the program by their ROTC Cadre Commander, best friends, and ROTC Cadets, Reesa Devers (left) and Wednesday Smetak (right), both applied and were accepted to the LeaderShape Institute. They understand that the goal of a leader should not just be about accomplishing the mission but doing so in a way that betters your personal growth and the people around you.
“We often assume that we already know our identity but I’m learning that others are actually teaching me more about myself.”
Reesa Devers (’26), ROTC Cadet
“I chose LeaderShape because I wanted to grow as a leader and within myself. This is special place that gave me yet another form of community within Wake. I’ve loved every moment.”
Sam Jones (’26), Resident Advisor, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Alpha Phi Omega
Many of the students found that the program has introduced them to peers they wouldn’t have otherwise met. It’s challenged their definitions of leadership and how to be open and vulnerable. Jones, a member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing subcommittee of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), who is also a CARE 101 student facilitator through our We Are Wake initiative, knows all too well the importance of open and vulnerable conversations. “The program makes it easy to be yourself. It’s teaching all of us how to authentically lead from a place of genuineness.”
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest one in the room. Oftentimes, the best form of leadership is just to listen.“
Natalia House (’26), Resident Advisor, Student Government Representative
Uncommon for Wake Forest students, many of our participants hold multiple leadership positions across campus. From Greek Life to Student Government and every Pro Humanaitate tradition in between, with over 200 organizations to choose from on our campus, LeaderShape teaches our Deacs how to put leadership into practice. “With my various leadership positions on campus, I’m looking forward to how this experience will strengthen me in each of them in different ways.”
“I have always been interested in making the world a better place for everyone. No exceptions.“
Kate Hafer (’25), Alpha Delta Pi, Fraternity & Sorority Life Ambassador, Alpha Kappa Psi
No matter what organizations our students are a part of or how long they’ve been “leaders,” LeaderShape opens them up to new questions, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. 91% of participants say that a LeaderShape experience helped them to develop a capacity to lead. Our Deacs have joined the club. “I approach every day as an opportunity to use my leadership skills for good, to help all of those around me.”
“LeaderShape allows us to focus on what motivates us on the inside, to see how our leadership is showing up on the outside.“
Samantha Briggs (’25), Student Organizations Judicial Assembly, Student Conduct Advisor,
Fraternity & Sorority Life Ambassador
While Samantha has attended other conferences before, such as our annual ConsentCon conference dedicated to exploring the meaning and operationalization of consent on college campuses (which she helped with as a student assistant for the Division of Campus Life), she had never attended anything that focused exclusively on leadership; that is until LeaderShape. “It’s been really meaningful to understand how our identities impact who we are as leaders. I’m looking forward to how all of the tangible tools I’ll take away from LeaderShape will make me a better leader.”
“I‘m inspired by the leadership of my peers. I’m going to be a better leader because of them.”
Hunnter Goins (’27), First-Year student
Named a 21st-century leader in his Georgia hometown, Hunnter is excited by how his experience with LeaderShape will shape his Wake Forest experience in the years to come. “The positive outcomes of my leadership experiences extend beyond individual achievements but also encompass positive outcomes within communities and organizations. My experience says that effective leadership has the power to inspire, motivate, and empower others to reach their full potential. As I continue with my interest in the leadership journey, I am committed to leveraging my skills and experiences to make meaningful change, cultivate collaborative partnerships, and create a brighter future for generations to come.”
“Being very involved on campus means that eventually, I will end up in a leadership position. If I end up in a leadership position without the proper basis that I need, I will negatively impact a lot of people. My goal is the opposite.”
Safa Akhter (’27), Deacon Student Patrol, Women’s Center
Every student participant met someone new. Safa is not only excited to take back new leadership skills into their Wake Forest experience, but newfound friendships too. “If you don’t have different perspectives around you, you’re not able to see the world in a different way.“
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