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The Flash Fellows program at ����ֱ�� State University helps students understand how to become leaders outside of the institution. The program focuses on translating juniors’ and seniors’ leadership experiences into their careers.

The program’s concept originated when Lamar Hylton, Ph.D., former senior vice president of Student Life, approached the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) team after he identified a need for a leadership development experience specific to juniors and seniors.

In the fall of 2023, the inaugural cohort of the Flash Fellows, which included 12 students, had their first session. The students in the program met once a month throughout the academic year and were paired with mentors to meet at their own pace.

“We pair them based on the individual student. If you were participating as a Flash Fellow, we would pair you with somebody who matches your specific career,” said Jessica Roshak, assistant director of Student Leadership Development in CSI. “It’s somebody working in that field.”

She added that the CSI team searched for good mentors with expertise in their own area and a passion for helping others. When they did not know someone from within their network, they contacted ����ֱ�� State colleges and offices to find a recommendation.

In the monthly workshops, the Flash Fellows learned about a leadership topic that can be applied to their individual careers. Roshak mentioned that, when possible, the center invited someone from the university with expertise on the workshop’s topic.

They call this mentor a “15-minute mentor.” When the topic was civic discourse, President Todd Diacon, Ph.D., talked to the cohort about how that applies to his work.

In November 2023, the center hosted a professional networking experience between the cohort and their mentors. The fellows had the opportunity to meet their mentors in person—some usually met virtually with their mentees—and meet each other’s mentors.

On March 14, 2024, the cohort gave a capstone presentation about what they had learned in the program and how their leadership philosophy had changed. At the end of the semester, CSI will invite them, their loved ones, and their mentors to an end-of-the-year celebration. Roshak mentioned that the center will also invite the incoming Flash Fellows cohort for a “passing of the torch.”

Applications for the second Flash Fellows cohort closed last month, and 15 students will be selected to participate. The applications for the third cohort will open in the spring of 2025.

Penélope Cervantes (she/her/ella), a senior biology major with a Spanish minor, Sprout Dickerson (they/them/theirs), a junior visual communication design major with a photojournalism minor, and Catherine Veranese (she/her/hers), a junior aeronautics major with a concentration in air traffic control and a double minor in Spanish and aviation law and policy, are among the inaugural cohort.

Cervantes joined the program to become a more decisive leader on campus and in life. She mentioned that her mentor brought her closer to her passions in public health, invited her to job shadow at the ����ֱ�� City Health Department, and connected her with ����ֱ��’s health commissioner.

While meeting her mentor, she learned there are many career paths in public health, and individuals can have their own unique journeys.

“She has given me a lot of career and professional advice that I can carry with me post-graduation,” Cervantes said.

Dickerson joined the program because, as a first-generation student with parents in nontraditional professional fields, they did not know how to navigate a professional field and carry their most authentic self to their career.

They met their mentor later in the program, but their time together was impactful. Their mentor encouraged them to pursue job opportunities, connected them to resources, and gave them perspective and hope.

“Graphic design can be a very open-ended career, so gaining that perspective on what a communications career can look like day-to-day was valuable for me,” Dickerson said. “The future can be scary, and having someone tell me I can do this and succeed in this field is invaluable.”

Veranese joined the program because her past leadership experiences were not intentional. However, she was excited about developing her leadership skills to be more purposeful with the impact she hopes to create.

Her mentor guided her through a few tours at air traffic control facilities in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, allowing her to make industry connections. She added that having hands-on experience of what controlling feels like has helped her decide what suits her best.

“I learned that no matter what, persistence is the most important value to hold,” Veranese said. “Training for air traffic control can be long and frustrating at times, but I know as long as I keep trying, I’ll keep progressing towards my goals.”

Cervantes, Dickerson, and Veranese said they will miss their Flash Fellow peers and conversations.

“This has been my favorite program we’ve done,” Roshak said. “They’re such a good group, and I’m excited to see how this continues to grow.”

The list of the 2023-24 Flash Fellows cohort and their mentors include: