Coming into Mac, student-athlete Joey Falls \u201929 had plenty of sports-based leadership experience as a three-year veteran on his high school football team\u2019s leadership council and one year as captain. But, the first-year admits, \u201cIf you had asked me to define my leadership skills, I would have probably given you a blank stare and made up some on-the-fly response.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s where Scots LEAD comes in. \u201cIn the First-Year Forum, the CliftonStrengths assessment helped me identify, define, and articulate my leadership skills,\u201d the offensive lineman says, \u201callowing me to home in on my strengths, reflect and improve upon my weaker skills, and use my unique abilities to uplift the people around me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falls\u2019 experience is just the beginning of Scots LEAD, Athletics\u2019 personal, professional, and leadership development program for student-athletes, intentionally sequenced to support each year of the Mac experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScots LEAD is not only a program\u2014it\u2019s a statement,\u201d says Devyn Smith, assistant athletic director, student-athlete success and development and Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor. \u201cWe are preparing the Scots to lead authentically, intentionally, and impactfully, both on and off the playing surfaces.\u201d Now in its fifth year, the program focuses on self-awareness, values, strengths, communication, and applied leadership to give students practical tools they can use within their teams and beyond athletics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Core initiatives include leadership forums, retreats, and capstone opportunities designed for Scots at different stages of their leadership journey; a competitor series aimed at fostering resilience and confidence; and professional development designed to translate athletic experience into career success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our student-athletes think so. \u201cOne of my favorite takeaways from one of the Scots LEAD programs was from the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey\u2014\u2018seek first to understand, then to be understood,\u2019\u201d says Adi Megiddo \u201926, guard, women\u2019s basketball. \u201cIt\u2019s changed the way I approach conversations, helping me grow as a leader.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond leadership, one other theme continues to emerge, from first-years to seniors. \u201cOur first week of school, we all got to know each other, and talk about our goals and values,\u201d says Megiddo. \u201cIt\u2019s provided me with long-lasting friendships to this day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s given me an avenue to form strong relationships with other student-athletes,\u201d echoes Falls. \u201cThe friendships I made during Scots LEAD helped me feel like I belonged within the Mac community.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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