2025 Leadership Academy Cohort: Lead From Within

Student-Athletes reveal what it means to them to be a part of the 2025 Leadership Academy Cohort

By Michael Rovetto, Staff Writer

2/4/2025 5:00:00 AM

Maryland Made announced the 2025 Leadership Academy cohort. The program includes 34 student-athletes from 14 sports and will focus on developing their leadership skills.

The Maryland Made Leadership Academy was created to strengthen the foundation of future leaders and commit to developing student-athletes at all levels. This program empowers student-athletes to overcome the increasingly complex challenges that emerge as they take on leadership roles. By exploring the pros and cons of diverse leadership styles and strategies, you will expand your ability to build productive teams, champion change, lead in a crisis and create a high-performance culture.

During the five-week program, student-athletes will participate in the following curriculum topics: Introduction to Leadership, Real Colors Personality Type Test, Emotional Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership and Communication. Each session will better prepare the 2025 cohort members for leadership positions in student groups, their teams and future careers.

Hear what it means to be a leader and what skills a few of the student-athletes who are part of this year’s cohort are looking to enhance:

Cayden Justice
Freshman • Track & Field • Distance Runner

To me, leadership is taking the initiative to do what's right and always looking out for the people around you. I've been exposed to many different leadership styles as an athlete, and in many ways, it's taught me what the best kind of leadership looks like. For me, the best kind of leader is always kind and listens to others with an open mind. They focus on how to help the team as a whole rather than themselves and always seek to inspire positivity in others. I think sometimes people confuse leadership with the person who has the loudest voice or is the most popular. Some of the quietest people I know have been some of the most influential leaders in my life because of their determination to do what is right regardless of the circumstances and because of the kindness they show to the people around them. It is this kind of leadership that I hope to develop and implement on my own team at the University of Maryland.

Cayden Justice

AJ Larkin
Junior • Men’s Lacrosse • Long Stick Midfielder

Leaders guide and influence people in the right direction of a common goal. You take the opportunity to serve those around you as a role model while growing yourself at the same time.

AJ Larkin

Ava Morales
Junior • Women’s Soccer • Midfielder

To me, a leader is someone who can connect with others and can foster strong relationships among people. Leaders are capable of guiding others through not only their communication but also their actions. I think a good leader is someone who takes responsibility for the group and earns the trust and respect of others by demonstrating their commitment to the team. Once this trust is formed, they can motivate the rest of the group to work towards the shared goal.

Ava Morales

Evelyn Rogers
Freshman • Track & Field • Distance Runner

In my opinion, good leaders are honest, self-aware, positive and empathetic. They are confident in their decisions but also open to constructive criticism. I think the best leaders lead by example. Leaders must embody the characteristics they expect from their peers if they want to be respected.

Evelyn Rogers

2024-25 Women's Basketball Single Game Tickets Ad

Panassaya Somchit
Senior • Women’s Golf

I’m looking to enhance my leadership, communication and teamwork skills. I would like to become more effective in working with others and communicate my thoughts more clearly.

Panassaya Somchit

Andrew Harmon
Junior • Men’s Track & Field • Thrower

I think the main skill that I am looking to enhance is teamwork in a professional setting, as well as working better with those who I am unfamiliar with.

Andrew Harmon

Ava Mckinnie
Freshman • Women’s Basketball • Guard