Sheikh 1 Rozina Sheikh Dr.

Steffen Guenzel ENC 1101-0011 24 November 2013 Paper 4 Final - Revised The Impact of LEAD Scholars LEAD, LEARN, SERVE: these three words successfully describe the academically beneficial 2-year leadership program, LEAD Scholars, at the University of Central Florida. This program requires students to have an excellent academic standing as well as gain leadership skills through classes, community service, and the influence of various school events. LEAD is for anyone who is willing to make a difference not only in this school, but in this community as well. I joined LEAD Scholars because I was very involved during my high school career; I was President of Student Government my senior and was in several other intense clubs like National Honor Society. I wanted to continue being involved and change the community so when I received information about LEAD Scholars, it seemed like it was very similar to what I was already doing in high school. Every freshman who has the mindset of working hard and wishes to better their school and their community should look into LEAD Scholars because it is one the best programs to join on campus for a variety of reasons. The LEAD Scholars program requires that students complete 10 hours of community service/volunteering the first semester, and the service element of commitment increases every semester for the next two years. Students also must take leadership classes that are designed only for LEAD scholar students; this consists of one, 2-credit hour class every semester. Students learn about the different types of leadership styles, how to network, the different parts of society

Sheikh 2 that need change (social change), and various other skills about leadership. In addition to an instructor, each class also has one to two Peer Mentors who are second year LEAD scholars (sophomores) who are responsible to guide the freshmen into the right direction and who are simply there to help them transition from the high school mindset. This helps immensely; the transition between college and high school is no easy task, especially for me because I moved all the way from Ohio. I have been a LEAD scholar for over three months now, and I must say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made as an incoming freshman. I was sent information about the program last spring, during senior year of high school, after I received acceptance to the school. Once I received this information which included a pamphlet and a brochure regarding the LEAD program, I was immediately interested because of my previous involvement in high school; I wanted to further portray involvement in my new school. LEAD had our very own orientation date, which was not a requirement to attend, but it helped many students get to know each other before the school year even started. LEAD also had another two-day event called the REEL Retreat, which was held before the start of classes and took place at a ropes course in Leesburg, Florida. This allowed students to develop relationships with one another as well as leadership skills before school had even started. LEAD is a very organized program that gives its students a plethora of opportunities to get to know one another. About all of my really close friends are in LEAD; the friends I have made outside of LEAD scholars are somewhat temporary, given that we barely make an effort to see one another outside of class. LEAD organizes so many events (fundraising, awareness, impactful, etc.) that are specifically for LEAD Scholar students that its easy to associate with other LEAD Scholars even if we share no academic classes. This also gives us a chance to spend

Sheikh 3 time with a diverse group of students. Personally, I would have never met or associated with most of LEAD students if I were not in LEAD because many of us do not share the same plan of study or the same major. Being involved with a wide range of students really allows me to expand my range of thinking and in a way this shapes me into a better rounded individual. One of the benefits of knowing a variety of people is the networking capabilities that come with it. Many people Ive worked with who occupy high professional positions (in general, i.e. the admissions director of Wright State Medical School, Program Director of LEAD Scholars) have always stressed the importance about networking. Students in LEAD scholars have the same mentality to do well in school and make a positive difference in the world and many of us will retain that mentality for the rest of our lives. This may not mean much to us right now because we are still very young, but when we are a little older, knowing the right people in the right places will immensely help us in pursuing our own goals. A great perk for being a LEAD scholar is early registration. Besides students who are in Honors (which is a very minute amount compared to the size of our school), LEAD scholar students have the ability to select classes before anyone else does, which gives us the opportunity to get in the right classes, with the right teacher, at the right time. There is no fighting or battling to get in the correct class to properly follow the plan of our major, and LEAD students most likely will never have to sacrifice taking a certain course due the lack of availability; we get first pick in choosing our classes! The reasons we have this opportunity are: 1) we are being rewarded for our outstanding efforts, and 2) to get into the proper LEAD classes without having sacrifice other classes. Many students do not take the time out to volunteer or engage in community service and in the LEAD program, community service is a requirement. It is only right that we should be able to choose our classes ahead of everyone else so we can make the

Sheikh 4 best use of our time. The other reason we have early registration is because we have to take our LEAD classes that are available only at certain times; for example, there are no LEAD classes on Fridays and no LEAD classes take place after 2:30 because these classes are two hours long and the program directors did not want students to have LEAD class after 5:00 pm! In our second year of LEAD scholars, students will have to take a certain class at a certain time pertaining to which social change group they want to join. The goal is to pick our proper LEAD class first, then schedule our other classes around it. This gives us the chance to get into both our proper LEAD class, and our proper core classes. LEAD has made my transition much easier of not only starting college, but moving across the country. Before I even started classes, I made friends with students who have the same mindset and self-less personality as I do. I have created lasting relationships with many students who are currently (and in the future) doing great things for the community. My boyfriend, who I met through LEAD Scholars, is a Peer Mentor and has had such a positive influence on me and many other LEAD Scholars. He is now in the process of creating his own organization where they create a healthier food system for students in title 1 elementary schools. I also have another friend who started the Sunday Knight Food Share, where volunteers feed a range of 100-250 homeless people in downtown Orlando every Sunday night. I have a part in both of these activities and this would not have happened had I not joined LEAD. LEAD Scholars has changed my life for the better and it hasnt just affected me, but it has positively affected everyone who is in it. Joining LEAD scholars was one of the best decisions I have made while going to college and I want all freshman to be able to receive the amazing opportunities that were provided to me through LEAD. An added bonus, that seems minute because LEAD does so

Sheikh 5 much for us students already, is that we LEAD scholars will receive a $200 stipend at the end of every semester if we complete all of the requirements and have higher than a C- in the LEAD class. This program does a great deal for its students, much more than it demands from us, which is why every freshman who is interested in creating a positive difference in the community with like-minded people should join LEAD Scholars.