On April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., students gathered at Heckman Auditorium for a dynamic leadership event designed to build skills, share resources and encourage collaboration among the Doane community.
The day began with everyone divided into teams, each assigned a specific color and given a notebook to take notes and complete activities throughout the event. From the outset, the energy was high, with students eager to connect, participate and learn from one another.
A guest speaker set the tone for the morning with an inspiring talk about leadership, emphasizing the importance of communication, decision-making, adaptability and resilience in personal and professional life. Following the keynote, representatives from Doane University introduced students to valuable resources available on the university’s campus, including the Academic Success Center, the CGR (Community & Government Relations) Division, the Writing Center and Health and Wellness services. This ensured that students were aware of the support systems designed to help them thrive.
Luis Sotelo, Vice President for Community and Government Relations at Doane University, delivered an important presentation about the CGR (Community & Government Relations) Division and Title IX. He emphasized students’ rights and responsibilities, as well as the university’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone.
Around midday, students enjoyed a well-deserved lunch break at the cafeteria. This time allowed participants to relax, meet new people, share ideas and build stronger connections in a more casual setting, strengthening the sense of community that the event fostered.
After lunch, the afternoon was filled with interactive, hands-on group activities centered around leadership development and decision-making. These activities challenged students to think critically, collaborate effectively and put their leadership and problem-solving skills into action.
Overall, the event offered a perfect mix of learning, engagement and community building. It provided students with meaningful tools to succeed both inside and outside the classroom, while reinforcing the powerful message that leadership is about stepping up, supporting others and making thoughtful, impactful decisions.
