Pictured left to right: Caldwell College student Bishrut Thapa; Vice Provost and Dean of Students at the University of Pittsburgh Kathy Humphrey; Chair of the Hesselbein Advisory Board Frances Hesselbein; Caldwell College Student Nga Pham at the Hesselbein Global Academy |
Caldwell Students Attend National Student Leadership Summit
Caldwell students Nga Pham and Bishrut Thapa had the opportunity to attend the Hesselbein Global Academy, a student leadership and civic engagement summit over the summer. Nga and Bishrut, who will both be juniors in the fall, joined 41 other students from around the country for the seminar at the University of Pittsburgh from Sat. July 11 to Tues. July 14, 2009.
Over the four days, the students had the opportunity to learn from leaders in corporate, non-profit and the military. Bishrut was mentored by Tina Doerffer, Program Manager of the Leadership Development Program of the Berteslmann Foundation in Bielefeld, Germany. Nga was mentored by Keith Schaefer, President and Chief Executive Officer at BPL Global Ltd.
Bishrut, who is Judicial Chair for the Caldwell College Student Government Association (SGA), said the best part of the experience was to be able “to communicate with so many student leaders from across the U.S. and so many successful mentors.” He said the convention was a terrific source of motivation and that it helped students learn how to “tackle problems”.
Keith Schaefer, President and Chief Executive Officer at BPL Global Ltd. with his mentee Caldwell College student Nga Pham at the Hesselbein Global Academy. |
It was “a million dollars worth of opportunity,” said Nga, who is Vice President of the Caldwell College SGA. She went into the summit thinking she she would make the best of it, but instead, she said, “they made the best out of me.” Before the summit, she said her goals were more “materialistic”, but after the convention, she says has found a passion for wanting to make the world a better place.
The aim of the summit is to produce experienced, ethical leaders who will be equipped to address critical issues throughout the world. It is the belief of the summit leaders that through dynamic global mentorship, training, and service opportunities, student leaders will become the business, community, and government leaders of tomorrow.
The summit is named after Frances Hesselbein, current chair of the board of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management) and former CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Hesselbein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S’s highest civilian honor in 1998. The students had the opportunity to meet Hesselbein and to hear her speak. Nga, who is majoring in Financial Economics and Psychology, says she has was very struck by one of Hesselbein’s quotes --- “Leadership is a matter of how to be, now how to do it.”
At the Hesselbein Global Academy Caldwell College student Bishrut Thapa is pictured with his mentor Tina Doerffer, Program Manager of the Leadership Development Program of the Berteslmann Foundation in Bielefeld, Germany. |
For Bishrut, the summit gave him a better idea of the career path he might want to pursue. A Biology major, he would like to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and then work in health policy and management. “I think I can make a difference where people need help and have no health care. There are so many people in so many countries dying of diseases”.
Being a leader comes naturally to Bishrut. He loves helping people and wants to help them make changes in their lives. “You need to leave something.” Bishrut and Nga hope other Caldwell students will go next year. “Definitely go for it. You really get the motivation you need in your life,” Bishrut said. For more information, go to www.hesselbein.pitt.edu