by Christie Chen, Class of 2026
With the Luther Hodges Scholas Class of 2026 scattered across the globe for their cross-sector collaboration internship experiences with various organizations, it was truly a delight to see everyone reunited for the Summer All Scholar Session. While it didn’t match the excitement of an in-person gathering, it was uplifting to see our cohort come together again, all wearing fresh summer tans and smiles. Before diving into our Leading with Impact discussion moderated by Dr. Kim Allen, it was fascinating to hear about the different activities of each group in their respective locations. For example, the Thailand group went on exciting nature hikes, the Madison group biked around the lake, the Washington D.C. group visited museums, and my Atlanta group explored various cuisines in the city.
To start the first half of the group session, our cohort broke into small groups to share our unique professional experiences thus far. In Atlanta, we had the opportunity to network with other cross-sector leaders and gain hands-on experience consulting client nonprofit organizations. Juliana Chiaramonte, who is interning with the Kenan Foundation Asia in Thailand, shared her experiences researching artificial intelligence tools for educators, highlighting how AI is relevant globally and how she has learned more about the education trends outside the U.S. The Washington D.C. group spoke about conducting informational interviews to learn about policy, while the Madison group emphasized the valuable insights they gained from their interactions with industry experts.
In the second half of the session, Dr. Kim Allen shared her NAACP experience and talked about the valuable qualities of leadership. She encouraged us to envision a leader for ourselves and be willing to change that vision if the characteristics do not fit but also to lean into it if it does. On the topic of leadership styles, Dr. Allen described herself as a strategic leader, a “quiet storm,” who focuses on providing the vision for moving forward and supporting others’ development as leaders. She emphasized making room for others at the table and the importance of listening, validating, and acknowledging others’ contributions.
After hearing this and reflecting on my personal experience, I recognized my own personal growth as a leader throughout my cross-sector internship in Atlanta. My self-confidence had significantly improved, as I no longer hesitated to speak up and ask questions during our Lunch and Learn Sessions with other cross-sector leaders. When I took the initiative to make various decisions and delegate responsibilities within our group, I simultaneously built my communication skills by ensuring everyone was on the same page. Additionally, I practiced open-mindedness and trustworthiness in our client interactions when conducting organizational audits by remaining receptive to new ideas and different perspectives while maintaining confidentiality. As our cohort continues their various cross-sector internship experiences, I look forward to seeing how my peers and I will further strengthen our leadership skills and apply the valuable lessons learned to both our personal and professional endeavors in the future.