Students completing the Global Leadership Academy (GLA) program at Duke Kunshan University presented their final projects and reflected on the transformative experience at the end-of-year showcase.
Established by the Office of Student Affairs, the extracurricular leadership development initiative aims to cultivate global thinkers who can make a positive impact across the Duke Kunshan campus, local community and world at large.
Nearly 60 students took part in the 2022-2023 program, which culminated on May 12 with presentations on projects focused on everything from mindfulness to food safety.
The program develops collaboration, congruence and other management skills to help participants become intentional and purposeful leaders.
Residence Life coordinator Han Yao said the showcase was a “vibrant display of our exceptional GLA students’ growth and development”.
“It was a testament to the effectiveness of the GLA’s holistic approach, as our students demonstrated the skills and values they have acquired during their time in the program,” she said.
“Rooted in a solid theoretical framework, the program focuses on helping students understand consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, common purpose, controversy with civility, collaboration, and citizenship.”
She added a highlight over the past academic year was the involvement of facilitators from departments including Residence Life, DKU Athletics and the Office of Career Services, whose “combined expertise and guidance played a significant role in the program’s success”. They were Emme-Lancia Faro, Elaine Tang, Patrick Dayton, Hyunwoo Lee, Eoin Brown, Kang An and Yang Yang.
Thirty students took part in the fall 2022 semester edition of GLA with another 27 participating in the spring 2023 semester one. Since fall 2020, the Office of Student Affairs has run six GLA programs.
Amelia Janiak (pictured above) from the Class of 2025, who completed the spring 2023 program, described it as a “truly transformative experience”.
“The program has challenged me to grow both personally and professionally, providing me with the tools needed to lead with intention and purpose,” the molecular bioscience major said.
“The instructors’ skillful facilitation of ice breakers, small group discussions and activities has not only allowed me to develop my leadership skills, but has given me the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
She added, “The Global Leadership Academy 2023 has been an incredibly enriching experience, and I am excited to see how I can apply what I have learned to make a positive impact in the world.”
Janiak collaborated with fellow GLA students Weijia Zhang, Siyun Fu and Neville Choo to develop an initiative called “Taste the World”.
The project aimed to foster cultural diversity, cross-cultural communication, community bonds and global citizenship among students at DKU.
It sought to integrate newly arrived international students and Chinese students through weekly cooking events featuring cuisines from around the world.
Among the other projects presented in the summer showcase were “Student Food Assurance Administration”, “My Journey in the Charity Group with Global Leadership Academy” and “Cultivating Mindfulness: Setting Up the DKU Meditation Club”.
Xiaofeng Huang from the Class of 2026 found the program very rewarding.
The project he co-developed focused on establishing a campus Meditation Club to promote well-being and foster a supportive community.
“I can’t stress enough how the seven crucial values of leadership growth have transformed my journey,” he said.
“One of my favorites is the concept of ‘controversy with civility’, which has made me more conscious of sharing my unique viewpoints openly and respectfully in a group setting.”
