Union College won the Leadership Challenge in Topeka, Kan. this week. Ten talented student leaders participated in the challenge as part of their leadership minor coursework. The Union group divided into two teams and competed against 13 other college and university teams including University Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State and Fort Hays State University.
“It was a day of jittery nerves, pressure, discomfort and learning,” said Linda Becker, director of Union’s leadership program. “Both Union teams completed the challenge with style and tenacity.”
More than 30 teams and 200 judges participated in the annual event held at Washburn University April 5-6. Each team responded to a simulation that unfolded over the two-day period, and team members were assigned specific roles such as vice president, security, public relations, etc. This year’s theme was “hazing event on campus.”
The purpose of the competition is to train future leaders to handle crisis situations, work together and understand how their curriculum directly applies to real-world situations.
Union’s first-place team included Rebecca Ackah, Matthew Mundall, Faith Armstrong, Gabrielle Mendoza and Senga Rutebuka. The second Union team included Lorenzo Pena, Erika Moreno, Destaney Bohlender, Greg Epperson and Melia Nash.
“Shout out to the most amazing team of people that I got to work with and learn from,” Faith Armstrong posted publicly on Instagram. “I can’t wait to come back next year and reclaim that champion trophy with my fellow Union students!”
By Becky Daniel, director of strategic marketing