A leadership journey from Beirut to the world
Summary
- Timing: 4:00 - 6:00
- Room: FCC406
- Max Capacity: 40
- Workshop Code: 314
About the Workshop
Join us for an inspiring lecture where Melissa will share her personal leadership journey, highlighting the transformative experiences she gained through the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) Young Women Leaders exchange program. This session will provide an in-depth exploration of the SUSI program, covering the application process, key components, and valuable interview tips. Melissa will also share her experiences across four U.S. states—Washington D.C., Indiana, Michigan, and Chicago—offering a firsthand look at the program’s impact.
The lecture will also spotlight the significant outcomes of this exchange, particularly the local initiatives it inspired, such as the She in STEM bootcamp organized at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Additionally, Melissa will discuss other pivotal experiences, including her participation in the Leadership in Sustainability Transition program in Switzerland, which further shaped her perspectives and enhanced her communication skills and cross-cultural understanding.
The session will conclude with practical advice on navigating the challenges of being a student or professional in Lebanon. Melissa will share strategies for maximizing productivity, making a local impact through extracurricular activities, building connections, and fostering a community to drive meaningful change.
This session aims to inspire and equip you with the tools to become an effective leader and advocate for change in your own community.
Objectives and Learning Outcomes
- Inspire Leadership and Passion: Share insights and experiences from the speaker’s leadership journey to motivate attendees to pursue their passions and goals, even amidst challenges and instability in Lebanon.
- Understand the SUSI Program: Provide a comprehensive overview of the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders program, including its structure, application process, and timelines, while also introducing other Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Lebanon exchange programs available for Lebanese students.
- Learn from Real-Life Experience: Offer detailed insights into leadership experiences and lessons learned from traveling across four different states in the U.S., highlighting how these experiences contributed to personal and professional growth.
- Recognize the Impact of International Exposure: Demonstrate the practical outcomes and local impact achieved through the SUSI program, including initiatives like the She in STEM bootcamp and other community projects in Lebanon.
- Draw Inspiration from Leadership and Community Engagement: Explore various leadership experiences and community involvement strategies that can inspire and drive positive change.
- Apply Practical Advice: Provide actionable tips and strategies for navigating the challenges of being a student in Lebanon, such as maximizing productivity, engaging in extracurricular activities, building connections, and fostering a community for change.
- Engage in Reflective Discussion: Conclude with a Q&A session to allow participants to reflect and engage further with the topics discussed.
Tentative Agenda
- 10 minutes: Welcome and Introduction
- 10 minutes: Agenda Overview
- 10 minutes: Discover SUSI
- 10 minutes: Journey Across States
- 10 minutes: Local Impact
- 15 minutes: Inspiring Leadership
- 15 minutes: Navigating Your Path
- 10 minutes: Interactive Q&A
