Franklin & Marshall students are learning that leadership takes many forms — and often develops in unexpected places.

“Leadership doesn’t always mean holding a recognized position in a club or a job,” says Sarah Zeigler ’28. “You can be a leader by listening. You can be a leader in your family, or in your class. Leadership can look different than what I previously believed it to be.”

Zeigler is a member of the Diplomat Leadership Program, which supports and inspires F&M’s next generation of student leaders. Selected during the application process, Leadership Scholars embark on a four-year examination of what it means to be a leader, community member and changemaker during and beyond college.

“We want to offer students a head start in understanding who they are as leaders, community members and individuals, and how they will achieve their personal goals,” says Director of Leadership Education Matt Thomas, a 2010 graduate of F&M. “They are realizing that a mixture of collaboration, strong values and a growth mindset can be a key to powerful and effective leadership.”

F&M’s Leadership Scholars take part in monthly workshops and gain mentorship from staff and fellow students. They also venture into F&M’s home city of Lancaster to observe leadership in practice and get a firsthand look at how these principles translate into community impact. In February, they partnered with Leadership Lancaster on a cultural tour of Lancaster County that introduced them to local leaders at Lancaster Central Market, Discover Lancaster, Pine View Dairy, Lancaster Conservancy and Kitchen Kettle Village.

For Alex Kotlarz ’29, the most memorable part of the tour was a scavenger hunt at Central Market.

“I learned a lot about the people behind the stalls, and how much determination and cooperation it takes to provide customers with the goods they sell,” Kotlarz says.

“We want to offer students a head start in understanding who they are as leaders, community members and individuals, and how they will achieve their personal goals.”

Matt Thomas '10

The students also got to experience the — rather chilly — outdoors at Climber’s Run, a nature preserve about 20 minutes south of campus. It was the best part of the trip for several students, including Zeigler. “We learned about the role the conservancy staff plays in protecting the environment and providing access to the outdoors. And I really enjoyed taking a moment to listen to the calming and natural sounds that surrounded us.”

Back on campus, regular workshops, dinners and networking events help the students craft and develop their own leadership styles and articulate their personal stories.

“The concepts we discuss in the program have allowed me to create a unique leadership mosaic, combining my individual style and values with the advice of mentors to fit the needs of the group,” says Ava Valentin ’29. “Even in my first year, I have already had opportunities to apply these lessons to my involvement on campus and grow my confidence along with my leadership skills.”

A key thread running through the program is “connection,” which students say strengthens their leadership abilities and their bonds with each other.

“While we have done a few valuable training sessions on connection and building our network, I have also found connection within our community to be so important,” says Ceci Connolly ’28. “Our leadership cohort is composed of many people I might not have known without the program. Getting to build relationships with them and valuing our different skills and interests has been such an incredible and rewarding aspect of the program.”

Do you want to be a leader and force of change in the world? Learn more about F&M’s Diplomat Leadership Program by contacting Thomas or expressing your interest.

Students in the Diplomat Leadership Program took a cultural tour of Lancaster County that included a scavenger hunt at Lancaster Central Market.

The group learned about collaborative leadership at Discover Lancaster, the official destination marketing organization for Lancaster County.

Leadership Scholars enjoyed their visit to Pine View Dairy, where the cows were excited to see them!

It was a beautiful day to explore the outdoors at Climbers Run Nature Center, despite the frigid temperatures.

Students got a behind-the-scenes tour of Kitchen Kettle Village, where they learned how much planning goes into the operations of the authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Country shopping complex.

There’s no shortage of canned goodies at Kitchen Kettle Village, including Lancaster’s famous pickled beets.

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