The Nancy Bihl Rukowski Leadership Fellowship continues this spring as students immerse themselves in their off campus practicum experience. Students are required to complete 20-30 hours of leadership observation and shadowing alongside a mentor. The practicum locations include the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Museum of Art, Delaware County Historical Society, and All Critters Veterinary Hospital. In addition, all students are paired with a OWU staff coach to discuss their strengths, support their leadership development, and navigate challenges at their practicum. 

OWU Senior, Marvella Kurniawan, describes her experience in the program:

" As part of the inaugural cohort for the Nancy Bihl Rutkowski Leadership Fellowship, I have been able to explore the nuances of my character and my potential as a scholar, a young adult, and a leader in my campus community. Through the intensive and engaging training sessions, we get quality and personalized guidance from our educator, Erin A Huffman-Richard. I really admire the robust and innovative learning materials that push me to reflect and grow. I also have Emily Paetz as a coach on campus! How cool is that!? Emily guides me through this journey, and as a result, I feel supported in navigating challenges in my leadership roles that define who I am. I constantly seek opportunities to grow into those roles and there truly could not be a better opportunity than this. I already see its positive impacts on my confidence and I cannot wait to see how the overall experience enriches my leadership qualities in facing complex challenges, to contribute my very best to the OWU community."