Exploring the foundations of leadership

The Rising Tide Leadership Summit at Tulane University aims to answer a single question: What does it mean to be a leader?

The one-day conference takes place on campus at the Lavin-Bernick Center on Saturday, March 10, and will offer Tulane students the opportunity to share their experiences with leadership and hear the perspectives of faculty and staff participants. The goal of the summit is to cultivate effective and ethical student leaders by highlighting the ways in which leadership skills are supported by foundational skills in empathy, communication and resilience.

“Leadership is not defined in the role or title you hold, but in the actions and messages you put out into the world,” said Andres Gonzalez, program coordinator of New Student and Leadership Programs and coordinator for the Rising Tide Leadership Summit.

“Leadership is not defined in the role or title you hold, but in the actions and messages you put out into the world.”

Andres Gonzalez, program coordinator of New Student and Leadership Programs

Sessions will range from roundtable discussions to team-building activities and will explore topics ranging from “Leadership Lessons from Improv” to “Is it Nap Time Yet? A Workshop for the ‘Woke’ Student Leader.”

The summit is part of a larger university-wide initiative to foster student leadership through the Leadership Framework.

“Our Leadership Framework covers seven tenets of developing into a well-rounded leader, and each session will cover one or more of our Leadership Framework tenets,” said Gonzalez. “[Through the Leadership Framework], we are continuing to empower our students to redefine leadership in the classroom and out in our community.”

Darryl Bellamy Jr., founder of the success coaching company Bellamy Inspires, will deliver the keynote address, which will focus on how to overcome fear as a leader.

“Ultimately, I hope that students will walk away with a newfound inspiration to pursue leadership opportunities, take new perspectives back to their organizations, and create a better Tulane community,” said Gonzalez. “I firmly believe that students who give more of themselves into the daily work they do and practice servant leadership are making positive change in their community.”

Interested participants should register here by March 1; walk-ins are welcome but are not guaranteed dietary needs at lunch.