“I think LEAD Scholars Academy is such an important program for students since leadership is important for everyone, no matter what one’s major or future career choice may be,â€� says Stacey Malaret, director of the program. “Leadership will always help students stand out from their peers in a positive way. More importantly, leadership development allows our students to lead others at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ effectively so that they too can be transformed into leaders in their own right.â€�

The academy was established in 1995 and this year has about 1,000 students engaged in leadership experiences, civic projects, student organizations, research and volunteer opportunities in the community. Incoming high school students apply for the first-time-in-college program and commit to a two-year leadership-development program and classes. Transfers and students in upper classes participate in U-LEAD, semester-long programs that focus on leadership tracks. Other programs offered include a virtual-leadership academy and the Clinton Global Initiative University, which each year hosts a meeting to discuss and develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.

“Our motto in LEAD is ‘To Learn, To LEAD, and To Serve.’”

“Our motto in LEAD is ‘To Learn, To LEAD, and To Serve.’ By combining the academic knowledge of leadership studies in the classroom, the opportunity to lead through high-impact co-curricular activities and serve others in the community this allows Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ to create the best well-rounded students,â€� Malaret says. “By having trained leaders, who also have a social-change mindset, it allows our community partners to thrive and receive the help they need to make Central Florida a better place to live.â€�

A key part of the academy is volunteer service, with students donating more than 18,000 hours of work last year.

The biggest project is the Knights Helping Knights Pantry, which was started by LEAD Scholars and this month celebrated its 10th anniversary. The pantry last year distributed nearly 70,000 pounds of food, clothing, cleaning supplies and other products to students in need.

Other LEAD Scholars have started programs such as , which provides health screenings to Orlando’s homeless population, and Green Greeks, an effort to educate students about the importance of harvesting produce locally to help end food insecurity.

LEAD Scholars serve on an alternative break trip each spring (a group is currently in New Orleans) and various other nonprofits in Central Florida, and one first-year LEAD Scholar was just approved to install a at the Recreation and Wellness Center’s leisure pool to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

“Students come up with service project ideas in many different ways. They are able to brainstorm ideas in class, through casual conversations in our office, etc.,� Malaret says. “We help them with resources to allow them to become social change agents on campus and assist in mentoring them along the way.�

The director says LEAD Scholars is unique in Florida because of the hybrid approach with curricular and co-curricular programs to develop leadership.

“We like to take the best of both worlds and combine them into one leadership program so that students are able to learn about leadership inside the classroom, then practice it outside of the classroom through service-learning and other high impact co-curricular learning opportunities, creating a well-rounded leadership learning opportunity.�

Andrew Aboujaoude, a third-year biomedical sciences major who plans to attend medical school after he completes his bachelor’s degree, is the only Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ student to receive the fellowship.

“I’m really happy that I’m getting to represent Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ from a civic engagement perspective,â€� said Aboujaoude, 21. “We really do a lot of good things at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and we have a lot of great students, faculty and administrators who are invested in helping the underserved in the community.â€�

The fellowship is awarded by Campus Compact, a national coalition of more than 1,000 college and university presidents committed to improving community life and to educating students for civic and social responsibility. It’s named for Frank Newman, one of the founders of Campus Compact. Aboujaoude was nominated by Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President John C. Hitt.

“Andrew is a role model, educator, and friendly person who students are drawn to. He has jumped into involvement on campus from day one and I can only imagine what he will accomplish in the next year with the support of the fellowship,â€� said Stacey Malaret, director of ±«°ä¹ó’s LEAD Scholars Academy.

After volunteering during food shares with homeless people in downtown Orlando, Aboujaoude learned that hypertension is a leading cause of death among the homeless population. He, along with fellow LEAD Scholars Academy students Alexis Ghersi and Jennifer Carvel, set out to address the problem. They founded Hearts for the Homeless Orlando, an organization that screens homeless people for hypertension and other health problems and refers them to free clinics in the area.

After pitching the idea to a gathering of young leaders hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative University, a social venture organization called The Resolution Project gave them startup funding.

Aboujaoude has worked with students at other universities to expand the program beyond Orlando. Students at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida are in the process of launching their own Hearts for the Homeless chapters.

The Newman Fellowship, which runs from August 2017 to May 2018, provides fellows with mentorship, networking with other fellowship recipients, and virtual and in-person learning opportunities, including a conference in Boston in November. Aboujaoude believes it will help Hearts for the Homeless spread further.

“I see it as an opportunity to springboard and launch Hearts for the Homeless in other states,� he said. “I want to do whatever I can for the organization.�

Two months ago, Aboujaoude was one of 21 students to be inducted into the Order of Pegasus, the university’s most prestigious student award.

The “Hearts for the Homeless Orlando� movement was born when the three honors students learned that hypertension is one of the leading causes of death among homeless people. High blood pressure and its related health problems are one reason that, on average, the lives of homeless people end 30 years sooner than the general population.

“It’s a silent killer, and many of these people out on the street don’t have access to information about their own health,â€� said Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ junior Andrew Aboujaoude, a premedical student and president of Hearts for the Homeless Orlando. “What we do is provide them information that can transform their lives – and for some even save their lives.â€�

Aboujaoude, senior Alexis Ghersi and junior Jennifer Carvel of ±«°ä¹ó’s Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and LEAD Scholars Academy never expected their idea to take off so quickly. In August, they formed a club at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, expecting a handful to join. But it has grown to more than 70 – and counting – in just a few months.

Now, every Monday and Tuesday evening, they set up tables, chairs and blood-pressure monitors in a parking lot behind a downtown church not far from Lake Eola Park. More than 50 homeless people regularly gather there for meals provided by Straight Street Orlando and other charitable groups.

Some homeless people now make the health screenings a part of their routine. Perhaps even more than the health information they receive, they crave the interaction with college students who care about their wellbeing.

The meals fill their bellies, and the students watch out for their hearts – in more ways than one.

“All of the people here have been beautiful,â€� 56-year-old John Driffin said recently as Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ freshman Leticia Lenkiu checked his blood pressure. “I really appreciate that they take time out to come and learn and to help others.â€�

Some homeless people were wary, but have grown fond of the college students who visit every week.

“At first, some of them said, ‘I don’t know you, I don’t know anything about you,’� said the group’s secretary, Jennifer Carvel, who is double-majoring in psychology and biomedical sciences. “But since they see us every week, they get used to us and they’re really receptive. I think they enjoy having someone to talk to, and they like finding out about their own health.�

In April, Aboujaoude, Carvel and Ghersi took their idea to a gathering of young leaders in Berkeley, Calif., hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative University. They pitched their plan to a social venture organization called The Resolution Project, and were awarded a fellowship grant to fund the purchase of blood pressure cuffs. The organization also provided them with startup services and linked them with two mentors: Haviva Kohl, a social entrepreneur and Google manager, and Kritika Bansal of The Resolution Project.

The students make sure everyone understands they aren’t doctors, and they don’t provide medical advice. But they share the blood pressure results, along with information about what represents a healthy range, and nutrition and behaviors that can contribute to hypertension. They provide written results the homeless can take with them to charitable clinic Grace Medical Home, with whom they’ve partnered.

Ghersi is expected to graduate in May, and Aboujaoude and Carvel a year later. One reason they formally established a club at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is so Hearts for the Homeless Orlando will carry on when they are gone.

“A lot of the premedical students are really excited about it,� said Ghersi, a biomedical sciences major. “They care about helping the community as much as the founders do, which is really important to us.�

The week started off with a leadership reception in honor of student leaders across campus with guest speaker, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Football Coach Scott Frost.

Students also heard from local speakers such as Judge Andrew Cameron, Night Judicial Circuity Court of Florida; Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Alumni Jesse Wolfe, founder of O’Dang Hummus Co., and Bobby Olszewski, commissioner for the City of Winter Garden.

Jordyn Decker, LEAD Scholar student and Leadership Development director, stated, “I learned that no matter the reputation that precedes a person, every person can have the biggest impact on those around them.�

The lectures, programs, events and workshops were open to students, faculty and staff members to help identify, recognize and develop leadership skills.

Selected students will receive mentoring, a free conference trip to the annual CGIU meeting at UC Berkeley (April 1-3), and funds to help make their social change dream a reality.

The meeting will bring together more than 1,000 innovative student leaders to make Commitments to Action that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Last year seven Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students were accepted. The early decision deadline is October 16, 2015 so they should apply soon. The deadline has been extended to December 4, 2015.

To learn more about ±«°ä¹ó’s involvement with CGIU, visit: lsa.sdes.ucf.edu/clinton.

CGIU information session: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. in LEAD Scholars Academy (Ferrell 165).

For questions, contact Stacey Malaret at: Stacey.malaret@ucf.edu or at 407-823-6492.

This year’s Leadership Conference was designed and facilitated by students from the ±«°ä¹ó’s LEAD Scholars Academy led by Amelia Gallo. The Lead Scholars Academy is a selective, two year academic leadership development program for students committed to academic excellence and making a difference in the world around them. The scholars make a difference in the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and Central Florida community with thousands of hours of community service each year.

The goal of the Students in Action Leadership Conference was to challenge the high school student leaders and develop leadership, communication and problem solving skills while building cross-cultural bonds and preparing them for active, contributing roles in their communities.

Students participated in a series of workshops aimed to assist them in leading an action oriented volunteer service culture in their school while sharpening their leadership skills. The workshops centered on collaboration, innovation, effective communication, team building, problem solving and a fundraising session facilitated by the Orlando Chapter of the American Fundraising Professionals. They also participated in two service projects that benefited the Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida and the Sue M. Pridmore Center for Women & Children in Melbourne.

The event was attended by 60 high school students from the following schools: Bayside High School, Edgewood Junior Senior High School, Leesburg High School, Melbourne High School, Mt. Dora High School, Southlake High School and Viera High School.

The Jefferson Awards Foundation is the country’s longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service. Through its programs, JAF trains and empowers individuals to serve and lead in their communities, amplifying their impact through the organizations vast network of media partners, mentors and volunteers.

Students In Action is an intensive leadership training program for middle and high school students designed to build leadership, promote engagement and measure impact. They train core leadership skills, help develop personal service passions and provide the tools for effective, measured and collective service impact. The program is currently operating in over 350 high schools in 10 communities across the country.

To learn more about the Jefferson Awards Foundation and Students In Action visit: JeffersonAwards.org.

More than 3,300 students have officially graduated from LEAD Scholars Academy and are Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ alumni. LEAD Scholars Academy was initially created in 1995 as a leadership development program for incoming first year students. Today, LEAD Scholars Academy offers academic classes, co-curricular opportunities and events for FTIC and transfer students.

Amy Maitner, senior Advertising/Public Relations major, was one of the students who spoke to the audience. Maitner completed the two year academic program and is now a member of the Inspire Women’s Leadership Program-one of the Academy’s new third and fourth year tracks.

Maitner said, “Inspire created a community of empowerment for young college women, and we would meet throughout the semester to talk about a range of topics—anything from current trends and their effect on women to Emma Watson’s UN Speech. LEAD Scholars has helped me hone my leadership skills as a whole and connect further with the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ community. I can thank LEAD for helping me become a member of the President’s Leadership Council, and I know that I am prepared for the adventures that lie ahead.â€�

Julien Meyer, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Class of 2014, stated, “LEAD taught me so much about servant leadership and the power of networking that I developed these skills to a point where they became second nature. Learning to inspire and motivate others through the program has proven to be my most valuable skill as a leader in the business world.â€�

LEAD Scholars Academy is located in Ferrell Commons 165 and includes two multi-purpose rooms, a study space and social areas for students.

Nine students were chosen to attend the Alternative Break Program trip: Julie Deslauriers, David Dill, Clarence Emile, Casey Field, Meghan Ginn, Yejide Giwa, Amy Maitner, Karen Rodriguez and Maya Rose.

Junior finance major Casey Field acted as student coordinator for the trip after going to Guatemala with the Alternative Break Program last year. This year she chose the social issue, destination, volunteer events and travel arrangements. She also organized fundraisers and educational discussions to inform the team before the trip.

“We got to see the first slave mart in Charleston and the brothel across the street, something that seemed so historic but presented an image of the 38.5 billion people still trapped in slavery,”

Field said. Field said the real issue in Charleston wasn’t just the trafficking. “The issue is children growing up in broken households, children that lack confidence, and children that lack mentors,” she explained. To help with this, they worked with a military-base youth camp as well.

“When we asked what we could do to help, one of the main responses was that we need to start tackling insecurities with children early in life, so we made sure to encourage all of the children we worked with,” said graduate assistant for the LEAD Scholars Academy, Whitney Watkins, who served as an advisor to the trip.

The participants also created something to bring home from the trip: a video that encourages others to stand up and end slavery. It can be watched here:

These assistantships cover a wide variety of academic areas: psychology, biology, sport and exercise science, hospitality and more.

To be selected, faculty members first submitted applications to receive an assistant. Next, students applied for an undergraduate research assistantship. Then, the LEAD Scholars Academy staff matched up faculty members and students based on common needs.

The 10-hour-per-week position is paid by LEAD Scholars Academy, so students get a paid experience and faculty members get help with their research programs.

Senior psychology major Kailyn Baker spent her semester working with Germayne Graham as a researcher for the Hazing Consortium at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ through the University of Maine. “At the beginning of the semester I held two focus groups, and collected information from students on their perception of hazing, and their experience with the new hazing module. I then took that information and translated it into an anti-hazing workshop that was presented to faculty and staff.”

The module Baker helped create will be part of the online orientation course new Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students must take along with alcohol education and sexual consent awareness.

Junior health sciences pre-clinical major Naureen Syed is another student who completed an assistantship this semester. She has been working with Bari Ruddy, Communications Sciences and Disorders Department, researching health literacy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Syed’s favorite part about her time with Ruddy was presenting at the Undergraduate Research Showcase. “It really helped me understand my topic even more and try to enlist interest from my judges and other peers,” she said.

For more information on LSA’s Undergraduate Research Program, click here: .

Harris visited Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ to share a message with students about leadership and enhancing your career from her new book “Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career.â€�

Nearly 50 students gathered in the Teaching Academy to hear Harris speak and copies of her books were distributed to the first 20 students in attendance.

One student at the event, sophomore psychology major Maya Rose, said she learned never to limit herself. “Have big dreams and reach as far as you can,” she said, and “form important relationships that can help you grow as a person and help further you in your organization.”

For Dwight Montgomery, a sophomore marketing major, the speech was particularly personal, as Harris is his cousin. He said she had plans to visit Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and he had to get her to speak for Leadership Week, a few days in advance.

Of her presentation, he said,  “If you have trouble knowing what you want to do in life in the guidance and making that decision, or would like to know interview strategies from a Wall Street veteran that has interview thousands of candidates, this book [Harris’ book Expect to Win[ is definitely the right choice.�

Germayne Graham, associate director of the LEAD Scholars Academy that hosts Leadership Week, said Harris was a great speaker to bring in for the students because she “had a powerful message for faculty, staff and students about strategizing to win.” Graham added, “Her pearls of wisdom were practical, witty and impactful. Everyone walked away with inspiration and new knowledge about their own leadership abilities.”