Penn Today (February 10, 2021) featured Dr. Mamta Accapadi, the Vice Provost for University Life, who began her tenure at Penn in August 2020. Her introduction to the University coincides with the pandemic and the remote work/learning environment, yet Dr. Accapadi immediately identified strategies to create relationships with her colleagues in University Life and in other departments and has been "building bridges and authentic relationships by meeting with student leaders from the Undergraduate Assembly (UA), the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), Penn Athletics, and the cultural centers" (Penn Today, K. Garcia).  

 

One of the defining characteristics of a leader is to be a change-maker. Being genuine, caring, compassionate can lead to strong coalitions and relationships. Some students might believe that they do not have the ability to be a leader, but this is far from the truth. Leadership emerges in different ways. Brene Brown asserts that "anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential" displays leadership.  

 

As we near the one-year milestone of confronting the pandemic, many people have demonstrated their ability to recognize and harness other's ability to achieve. Think about your accomplishments during this past year, especially if you are living in a College House this semester. It takes courage to hold students accountable if they fail to wear masks or practice social distancing; however, you are being a good citizen of the community when you identify inappropriate behavior. By following your conscience and recognizing your speech and action can make for a more harmonious, hospitable living environment, you are displaying care for others. The Weingarten Center too continues to adapt as a result of the pandemic. Instead of holding our annual one-day Disability Symposium, it will be scheduled in 5 presentations during March/April. The theme, Changing Landscapes, symbolizes how the work of disability educators evolves and adapts to life events such as the switch to remote learning/working during the pandemic. It is often said that change is hard, and it can be if we fail to have exceptional leaders to guide and inspire. Find your inner leadership qualities to create change on campus, in the community.