COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland Athletics Department's Terps Leadership Academy held its inaugural educative session Monday evening in Heritage Hall.

Each athletic program sent four student-athletes interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills related to leadership in the areas of academic, athletic and social development.

Assistant Athletic Director in Life Skills and Team Development Sue Sherburne, who is in her first year with the University of Maryland after joining from Penn State, initiated the evening with group activities.

“The first part of leadership is stepping outside of your comfort zone,” said Sherburne. “This program is a great opportunity for our student-athletes across the department to get to know one another.”

Throughout the evening, groups continued to participate in small activities, stressing topics like effective communication and followership.

The night was highlighted by an interactive session with Athletic Director Kevin Anderson, a strong advocate for student-athlete development.

Anderson stressed the difference between transitional and transactional leaders among many other topics and left the student-athletes with an inspiring piece of advice.

“At the University of Maryland, you have the opportunity to set yourself up for the rest of your life," Anderson said. "If you take the opportunity and you take it seriously, you will be able to have something valuable that will stick with you.”