Engage Leadership Philosophies Spring 2025
At the culmination of each semester’s Engage Leadership Circle, students share their personal leadership philosophies. These philosophies are the culmination of a semester’s learning and reflection, and each is as unique as the participants themselves.
Becky Maher
Class of 2025
“Anyone can be a leader; it’s all about stepping up and inspiring others to do good. The characteristics that define me as an individual are deeply reflected in my leadership style. I value close relationships, always trying to build meaningful connections with those around me. I believe in the potential of every person, focusing on their strengths and constantly working to lift them up. I put myself in others’ shoes, to understand their perspectives and emotions.
Being a leader is not about being superior to others; it’s about serving as a source of inspiration, encouraging others to be their best selves. Leadership is a responsibility that requires guidance and mutual respect. I believe in keeping a positive attitude in hopes that it is contagious, as my goal is to create an atmosphere where optimism thrives. Ultimately, being a leader is about setting a strong example, knowing your actions influence those around you. By leading with integrity, compassion and enthusiasm, I aim to empower others to realize their full potential.”
Claire Rondeau
Class of 2026
“Leaders should be the backbone of their groups, role models, and positive influencers- this can all be measured through productivity and effectiveness. Everyone has a part to play, and leaders help people learn how to play their part well. Leaders help individuals grow in their role by showing empathy, and being supportive, compassionate, and caring.
I value dependability, mutual trust, a sense of purposefulness, and productivity. I’m a dependable and responsible person, and I expect the same from others. My personal values include honesty, communication, dependability ( showing up for someone ), and empathy ( putting yourself in another person’s shoes ). As highly as I value these traits, I would not expect them from someone else if I wasn’t already demonstrating those qualities to the people around me. Through this program I have found that I have a need to contribute, encourage, care for, and empathize with others. I like to work with others to build relationships, motivate, connect and prioritize growth within the group.
My strengths include relationship building and discipline. I’ve learned that through learning about people, relating to them on an interpersonal level, recognizing their potential, and through showing empathy I am able to relate to people and grow connections. As a leader, these skills alongside creating structure and keeping organized help me to work with individuals and keep everything in line. One of my other themes mentioned, strategic, helps when things don’t go according to plan. One downfall of being structured and organized is that when something goes differently than expected, being strategic and keeping other options in mind can help reorient the task at hand. The strength that makes me such a strong leader is discipline. Being a planner, coordinating times and events, and dependability help me lead the group in the direction best fit for those individuals. Discipline helps me to stay organized, while also giving me the opportunity to help others to organize their lives.
My goal in my leadership position is to support others through offering guidance and support, to make them feel more comfortable and confident in their roles. I have this goal with the hope that the results would show a more comfortable and tight knit community where everyone can depend on one another. I want to work to grow other people’s confidence through experience so that if they are recommended for a leadership position they can accept it and feel confident in their own abilities.”
Maxwell Passarelli
Class of 2026
“Throughout my time at Worcester State and as a student in general I have learned incressly more about my personal leadership style. I consider myself a well informed leader. I try to fully understand whatever issues and group dynamics are present before addressing them. This includes asking questions or just listening. The ability to listen is such an undervalued skill in today’s world. In my time working at The Overlook (my part time job) I have encountered many challenges that can be solved by just hearing people out. Listening is important, but it is just as important to have the courage to act on this new knowledge. I feel I do this well.”
We would also like to congratulate Brandol Ogando-Saladin, Eduarda Luiza Braga, John Beford, Kody Osborne, Maria Delia, Riley Flipp, and Sarahie Pierre!
