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Monday, February 24, 2025

Joan of Arc Leadership Program: A Leader in the Making

Joan of Arc was a significant historical figure who led French troops to numerous victories in the Hundred Years War. The Joan of Arc Leadership Program helps mold Longwood students become strong leaders like Joan of Arc.

Theron Haynesworth, a senior who finished the Joan of Arc program, stated, “I was attracted to the program because I wanted to get more involved on campus, and I wanted to learn the skills of a citizen leader, and I recommend this program to a lot of people.”

Natalie Joseph, a freshman who is an emerging leader in the program, said, “I joined the Joan of Arc Leadership Program so I could develop skills that will help me become a prominent leader.”

Intern at the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement Kaitlyn Cumber added, “Because I hadn't heard about it, I made it a priority of mine to try to publicize the program more last fall semester. We had almost 40 freshmen come out for the first stage of the program, which is amazing.”

The Joan of Arc program has four different steps that help enhance students' leadership qualities. The steps go in the following chronological order: Emerging Leaders, the Shield Leadership Program, the Paldron Leadership Program and the Gauntlet Leadership Program.

According to the Longwood website, the first step is Emerging Leaders, which is offered for freshmen in both the fall and the spring semesters. This first program is about self-awareness and helps individuals become aware of their strengths, weaknesses and feelings. Emerging leaders hold meetings on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the "C" room of the Lankford Student Union.

The first step contains six workshops and students are required to complete one of the three common service activities, which give students a chance to work with upperclassmen.

Joseph shared, “People from around campus come and talk each week at the meetings, and there’s always a new theme. Some of the themes are being a balanced leader, listening, communicating and asserting yourself, cross culture simulation, experimenting and taking risks, and etc.”

Haynesworth added, “Each section has different workshops entitled around different subjects. Maybe one day it will be emotional intelligence and the next day it will be team leadership building. Sometimes, it will be a guest speaker from off- campus or it could be someone from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.”

The second step of the Joan of Arc program is the Shield Level. Students have to complete six workshops and five hours of community service. Some of their workshops involve topics such as social media, critical thinking, managing stress, finding out what your bias is, etc. Meetings for this level take place in the “B” Room of the Lankford Student Union on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Hailey Gilbert, another student in the Shield Level, shared, “I first became interested in the Joan of Arc Leadership Program when a presenter came into my LSEM class. She explained all of the benefits of being involved in the program, which consisted of gaining life-long leadership skills, working with others to achieve a goal and being surrounded by others who are as driven to succeed.”

The next step up the ladder is the Paldron Leadership level. Students in this level are required to complete six of the seven workshops. Their workshops discuss topics such as meeting management and event planning, building coalitions and networking, ethical leadership and doing the right thing, group processing and reflection, etc. Students in the Paldron Level meet on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the “A” room of the Lankford Student Union.

Rachel Gustafson a sophomore in the program, shared, “I think I've benefited most from the program by being able to apply the skills learned from the program, such as skills of communication and working with other people. I think it has helped me become a better person all around, and this is something that I can take with me even beyond college and into my career.”

The final step in becoming a prominent leader is the Gauntlet Level. Students in this level are required to attend all workshops and present a workshop to the previous levels. Their meetings involve discussion topics such as celebrating victories, developing and facilitating a presentation, revisiting your roadmap and final prep for your presentations. Students in the Gauntlet Level meet on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Amelia Room, or room 221, of Lankford Student Union.

Gilbert added, “I am looking forward to teaching my own class once I reach the Gauntlet stage. I am so happy to be a part of this program because I have been introduced to other positive influences, and I walk away each week knowing that I've learned a valuable lesson.”

Gustafson added, “Also wanted to be able to have a medal to wear at graduation that everyone calls the sexy medal."

Haynesworth said, “The very last semester you have to conduct your on session for one of the other lower sections. Ours was emotional intelligence and coping with stress. You make up your own exercises and activities and you run your own show.”

Haynesworth further added, “I have become more confident. When you’re around others being taught the same leadership skills as you, you feel more comfortable speaking out and taking the initiative with certain things. Also, you feel more comfortable in any environment.”

Cumber said, “It is a time commitment, and students have to be willing to do that. This program is based on the Social Change Theory with the work of both Jen Rentschler , [associate director of leadership and civic engagement], and Dr. [Kerstin] Soderlund, [dean of students], who put the program together. This is a similar program to other schools in that the topics are the same, common things that all college students should learn to be great leaders.”

For more information on the program contact Kaitlyn Cumber, an intern at the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement. Students who were interested in registering for the program for the spring 2013 semester were required to email kaitlyn. cumber@live.longwood.edu by Feb. 18.

For more information on leadership in general contact Katherine Raborn, the program coordinator of Leadership and Civic Engagement, in Lankford Student Union Room 223.