Story and photo by Kelly Stenka
Doane University recently hosted its second annual We Build Leaders Symposium on Wednesday, January 22nd, bringing together high school students and counselors for an immersive leadership experience. The event provided students with the opportunity to explore key leadership concepts, including advocacy, confidence, adaptability, integrity, and empowerment.
Students from Giltner Public Schools, Seward High School, Weeping Water Public Schools, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller School, Deshler Public Schools, and Crete High School participated in a day filled with engaging discussions, interactive activities, and inspirational speakers.
Quint Geis ’13, Director of Career, Leadership, and Service Development at Doane, emphasized the event’s significance: "Our hope is to encourage young student leaders to evaluate how they want to lead and what it will look like to lead within their communities. We believe that building leaders is part of who we are, and it’s the Doane difference."
Through engaging activities and thought-provoking discussions, students walked away with a greater awareness of leadership’s impact on everyday life. One student noted, "It made me more aware of the impact leadership has on me and others in everyday life. I never realized how much I use leadership skills during normal activities throughout my day."
The We Build Leaders Symposium continues to inspire and challenge young leaders, reinforcing Doane University’s commitment to leadership development beyond the classroom. Students left the event not only with new insights but also with a renewed passion for growing their leadership skills and making a difference in their communities.
