Leadership Academy: Reflections From The 2025 Cohort

Student-Athletes reflect on being a part of the 2025 Leadership Academy Cohort.

By Michael Rovetto, Staff Writer

3/18/2025 5:00:00 AM

Maryland Made’s 2025 Leadership Academy was a resounding success. Over the past five weeks, the program developed the leadership skills of 30 student-athletes from 13 varsity sports in five separate sessions.

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, student-athletes expand their ability to build productive teams, champion change, lead in a crisis and create a high-performance culture.

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

Hear some reflections from several of this year’s cohort members on how they feel the Leadership Academy positively impacted their leadership skills.

Lauren Lapointe
Women's Lacrosse

What was your biggest takeaway from the Leadership Academy, and how has it influenced your approach to leadership?

“My biggest takeaway from the leadership academy was the incorporation of communication, togetherness and leadership in all aspects of life, school and athletics. In every aspect we touched on, I could see the importance of these traits that will stick with me throughout the rest of my life. Without leadership, nothing can progress. The academy has influenced my approach to leadership by allowing me to recognize people’s differences. No two people can lead or be led the same way, and this academy taught me how to work through that and create connections along the way. I really enjoyed the people I got to work with along the way, and I know that in the future, these people will have my back."

Sadam Maserka
Men’s Soccer

How has your understanding of leadership changed since starting the Leadership Academy?

“The Leadership Academy has reinforced my understanding that everyone carries and values different leadership traits. No two leaders are driven by the same set of values. A good leader is someone who brings out the best traits in you. They influence you to use your voice, create positive change and be inclusive of others.”

Jennessa Wolfe
Track & Field

What advice would you give future participants who are about to embark on their own leadership journey in the academy?

“Just do it and get out of your shell. You can definitely learn new things and other people’s perspectives. It’s good to interact with other athletes because we relate to each other and are going through similar things.”

Judah Jenkins
Football

What skills or insights do you feel most empowered to apply in your personal or professional life moving forward?

“The biggest insight I learned from the Academy was that just because our personalities are a certain way now, that doesn't mean they can't change or develop over time. No personality fits into one box or exactly matches one description — we are all bits and pieces from all kinds of places. Recognizing this allows us to apply it to all aspects of our lives because we can be more flexible in who we are, how we react to things, and grow as people overall.

2025 Leadership Academy Cohort

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