LÍDER develops student leaders

Translating in English to “leader,” LÍDER aims to enhance students’ leadership skills to use in the workforce, in daily life or to advocate for their community.

A partnership between the Carolina Latinx Center and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, LÍDER: Carolina Leadership Institute is a year-long, interactive leadership development program for undergraduate students throughout North Carolina with an interest in Latinx culture.

Started in 2022, the program includes students from Carolina, NC State, Duke University, UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte, Wake Tech Community College and Central Piedmont Community College.

The Carolina cohort is composed of 21 students who applied to join. Every month, Carolina’s LÍDER cohort meets up with other school cohorts to participate in workshops and hear from guest speakers. The workshops, ranging from community engagement, leadership development and fellowship building, help participants build self-awareness and interact with each other.

The students in the organization network with schools in the area, but they also venture outside of North Carolina for leadership experience. The cohort went on a trip to Washington, D.C., in late January to strengthen their leadership and mentorship skills.

Pepco, an electric energy company, hosted the group for the weekend. Different Pepco employees spoke to the cohort about their struggles growing up and difficulties navigating society with their various backgrounds.

Laura Lora Rosario, a LÍDER cohort member, found this trip to Pepco helpful as she finishes out her last year at Carolina. “Even though I have struggles with my background, I’m able to make something of myself as long as I apply my work ethic. I’m so lucky to attend Carolina, go on these trips and be a part of multiple leadership organizations that have helped me better not only my community but better myself.”

They received advice about going into management and senior administrative positions in the corporate world. The group also toured the city and visited the Latino American Museum.

Trips like this help the cohort members dive into leadership and mentorship skills to help better enhance their resume beyond their time in the organization.

“Adding the opportunity to travel beyond North Carolina has been especially powerful. It reinforces that their voices matter, their aspirations are valid, and people are ready to listen,” said Marcela Torres-Cervantes, associate director of the CLC. “I hope this initiative continues to grow for years to come, inspiring even more students to lead with purpose and conviction.”

“I love being able to meet everyone, learn everyone’s background and hear their stories. I see a lot of them as role models, and I always go to them for help when I need it,” said Lora Rosario. “It has been interesting to see different campuses and their campus life. Once we go back to Carolina, we compare it to our student climate here and start working on ways to better our campus community.”

Along with providing skills for members’ professional journeys, the program also aims to provide mentors for the community, including students at North Carolina college campuses. Members leave the program feeling empowered to take on leadership roles and create change.

LÍDER participants can “look up to leaders and ask for advice and guidance to make sure they are there for the community,” said Lora Rosario. “Everything we learn from these workshops, we want to use within our community, whether it’s here at Chapel Hill or back in our hometown.”

Torres-Cervantes said that it has been “an incredible honor” to host the LÍDER program for four years. “It continues to empower our fellows in meaningful ways. I have witnessed students grow more confident in their leadership, step into new roles beyond their undergraduate experience with expanded skills and networks and embrace their potential to create change.”