As the fall semester came to a close, we gathered one last time to celebrate something truly special: the students who committed themselves to learning, growing, and leading through our Bauer Leaders Academy Cohort experience.
Over the past several months, almost 100 students stepped into small-group communities designed to deepen self-awareness, strengthen interpersonal skills, and practice leadership in real time. Each session invited students to stretch their thinking, explore their values, and reflect on who they are becoming as leaders on campus and beyond. From identifying personal strengths to navigating team dynamics to developing a clearer sense of purpose, our Fall 2024 Cohort participants showed up with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try something new.
On Thursday, December 4, we brought all three cohorts together for a final celebration, a moment to pause, recognize the work they’ve done, and appreciate the growth that happened along the way. The room buzzed with energy as students reconnected with their facilitators, shared takeaways, and reflected on how far they’d come since the kickoff in early fall. Many spoke about newfound confidence, discovering aspects of their leadership identity, and building meaningful relationships that made the campus feel a little smaller and a lot more connected.
The celebration also marked an important milestone: each student who completed the program is now two-thirds of the way toward earning the Leadership Development Badge. With the Workshop and Coaching components completed, participants are now ready for the final step, engaging in an experiential learning opportunity that lets them put their learning into action.
Most importantly, the event served as a reminder of why the Cohort experience matters. Leadership isn’t something learned in a single moment; it’s built over time, through reflection, feedback, experimentation, and community. Our students showed that kind of dedication all semester long and the celebration was a powerful testament to their hard work.
We are deeply proud of every participant and can’t wait to see how they continue to lead, in their organizations, their communities, and their futures.
Thank you to our facilitators, staff, and the students who brought these conversations to life. And to our Cohort graduates: congratulations! Your leadership journey is just beginning, and we’re excited for everything ahead.
If you’re interested in joining the Spring 2025 Cohort experience, applications will open soon. Stay tuned!