StudentSep 18, 2019Campus News
By: Emma de Bellegarde '21

Student Attends Leadership Summer Institute

Emma de Bellegarde writes about her experience with the new Leadership Summer Institute.
Student Attends Leadership Summer Institute

Emma de Bellegarde writes about her experience attending the new Leadership Summer Institute.

This article originally appeared in the Department of Latin American/Women's Studies newsletter. 

This June, I had the pleasure of representing the University at the NEW Leadership Summer Institute, hosted by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University. The week-long program immerses college women in opportunities for growth in political leadership and public service. We had incredible experiences meeting female members of the Pennsylvania state legislature, learning about lobbying, and enjoying networking luncheons and dinners with leaders in politics from Pennsylvania and around the country. At the end of our week, we completed a mock joint commission meeting on climate change.

Although I have always been interested in politics, I was unsure of how I would contribute to the program as a nursing major among a sea of political science majors. I was nervous about the depth and breadth of my knowledge of relevant topics. However, I learned from speakers, educators, and peers about the vital role nurses play in lobbying for healthcare reform, an issue about which I am particularly passionate. Additionally, I discovered that several of our U.S. congresswomen are nurses!

I’m not sure that I will follow in the footsteps of nurse-congresswomen; however, through NEW Leadership I learned I can be a politically-engaged leader, even if I don’t run for elected office. I will forever cherish my memories from this program and credit it for my enhanced confidence in my leadership abilities. 

Read more from the Department of Latin American/Women's Studies newsletter, here.

Emma de Bellegarde is a nursing major.
Back to Top