Elon University integrates leadership development opportunities into its curriculum and activities through the Center for Leadership. Phoenix Leaders is a program, sponsored by the CFL, for first-year students to begin their leadership development journey at Elon. Offering mentorship and personal reflection, while also introducing students to new friends and resources, Phoenix Leaders has been a staple in many first-steps towards building meaningful and intentional leadership.
Definitions of leadership change in time, in context, and in personal experiences. The way leaders develop and understand their own style of leading can often come down to the opportunities they actively seek to engage with.
Elon University integrates leadership development opportunities into its curriculum and activities through the Center for Leadership. Phoenix Leaders is a program, sponsored by the CFL, for first-year students to begin their leadership development journey at Elon. Offering mentorship and personal reflection, while also introducing students to new friends and resources, Phoenix Leaders has been a staple in many first-steps towards building meaningful and intentional leadership.
Arran Ponte, the Campus Engagement Student Intern for the Center for Leadership took charge of organizing and putting Phoenix Leaders into action.
“Phoenix Leaders is a program at Elon that allows first-year students to learn about and discover leadership in a deep and personal way,” Ponte said. “It allows students to identify different forms of leadership and understand how identity plays a role in leadership.”
This year’s Phoenix Leaders tried a new, unique set-up to keep students safe but still engaged. The program was split into two weekends, one in-person and one virtual. While maintaining the same core themes of developmental leadership, each platform pursued different ways of teaching.
“COVID made it difficult to allow a larger cohort, and Elon moving into level 3 right before the weekend was a challenge,” Ponte said when asked about challenges she faced in the planning process.
Despite the difficulties and changes, the Phoenix Leaders program continued to successfully welcome and help students. Ponte found support from different groups who helped make Phoenix Leaders continue its success.
Sarah Rusthoven ’23 participated in Phoenix Leaders during her first year at Elon, and returned as a sophomore mentor for the in-person weekend held Sept. 26-27. “Mentorship and leadership are two of my greatest passions,” Rusthoven said. “It’s hard work, but it’s heart work, and it fills me with joy!”
The first weekend of Phoenix Leaders encouraged leaders to learn more about how they could strengthen their leadership with diversity and their own natural abilities. Participants were able to build a ‘life map’ of their leadership experiences, taking a deeper dive into the things that had already helped shape their leadership journey.
Rusthoven recalled an impactful moment from the last day of that weekend’s retreat that brought everything full circle. She described the experience as a re-charge for her hope in people.
“We gave them [the participants] the opportunity to take a megaphone, stand in the center of everyone circled-up, and reflect on their experience of that weekend, and how they would take what they gained into the future,” Rusthoven said.
The second weekend of Phoenix Leaders allowed the second half of this year’s cohort to explore their leadership virtually on Oct. 3.
Kai Bilotta ’24, a first-year student at Elon, was a participant in the virtual weekend. They 
shared the most impactful moment they saw from the program.
“The most impactful moment from this program so far . . . was when we were discussing how our backgrounds impact our styles of leadership and our interactions with each other,” Bilotta said. “Examining the topics Elon students tend to shy away from discussing, as well as the topics which I was not comfortable with, was helpful to better understanding myself and the community I am now a member of.”
The Center for Leadership provided snacks from their office and coffee from an on-campus coffee shop, Irazu, for participants to pick-up during specific times. Students could enjoy these treats while participating in virtual Leadershops and activities.
The virtual retreat, through Leadershop programs, focused on leadership experience and leading through inclusivity. Both weekends lifted up ‘Encourage the Heart’ jars, a Center for Leadership classic when building cohorts and programming.
‘Encourage the Heart’ jars let students write each other notes about moments of inspiration and personal encouragement. Students are then able to keep their jars with notes others wrote about them for when they need a pick-me-up and to reflect.
The conclusion of the program does not mean the end of planning. Students who participated this year are able to apply for next year as mentors.
“If I had to choose one word to sum up the Phoenix Leaders program I’d say it’s uplifting,” Rusthoven said about applying as a mentor. “Everyone there is offered a chance to rise up and be the best version of themselves, being around that and helping foster that experience for others is more than fulfilling.”
Phoenix Leaders is a unique, Elon experience that encompasses personal leadership for the future, while celebrating leadership from the past. Its participants have continued to share what they learned to make a difference in the Elon community and beyond.
For more information about the Phoenix Leaders, visit the Center for Leadership’s website or visit the Center for Leadership office in Upstairs Moseley 224.