Leadership Workshop 1
By Clara Si (G4), Avery Bogart (G4), and Kevin Zhang (G2)
The MSTP held its 10th biennial Leadership Workshop I on Friday, October 18th, 2024. Leadership Workshop I is attended by G1 and G2 students, and is designed to provide formal instruction on leadership competencies fundamental to the physician-scientist career path, with a particular focus on the early graduate school path and navigating the laboratory environment. Students began the day by identifying and exploring their individual CliftonStrengths with two Gallup-certified Strengths Coaches, Kate Stuart from the BRET Office and Danny Coradazzi from the Dean’s Office for the College of Arts and Science. The workshop then featured three focused sessions led by invited speakers: “Self-Leadership” by Dr. RC Stabile from BRET, “Leading Up” by Stacey Satchell from GPAS, and “Leading Together” by Dr. Mariana Byndloss from the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Through these sessions, students learned about topics such as personal vision, mentor/mentee relationships, group dynamics, conflict management, and valuing diversity in group settings. Later in the evening, the MSTP welcomed Dion Brown, President and CEO of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), who delivered the keynote address during dinner. Mr. Brown shared valuable insight gained through his experiences serving in the United States Air Force and leading the nonprofit museum sector. Key takeaways included leading by example, investing in mentees as the future generation of leaders, and overcoming challenges through adaptability and strategic flexibility.
We are so grateful to the Leadership Workshop I Planning Committee (Kevin Zhang (G2), Avery Bogart (G4), Clara Si (G4), and Bryn Sierra (LT)), our session facilitators, and Mr. Brown (and Noëlle Taylor) for the time and energy they dedicated to ensuring the success of this event.
