Deeper Understanding

FINDING COMMON GROUND: Katie Jones ʼ25 and Trent White ʼ25 question the panel.

LEADING FOR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING

Roan Scholars developed deeper understanding this year through interaction with campus and community leaders - and experiences abroad.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affirmed, challenged, and changed our understanding of leadership? Those were questions community leaders weighed in on during a campus-wide panel discussion organized by Roan ’25s Katie Jones and Trent White. The event brought together regional leaders from various sectors: business, education, healthcare, and non-profit. The conversation underscored how the pandemic has reshaped day-to-day life in both expected and surprising ways.

"It was an entirely new experience for me as I have never organized an event this large. I now know how to reach out and connect with other leaders, organize and reserve spaces, and function as a moderator in stressful situations!" said Katie Jones ’25.

“Hearing regional leaders from different professions speak about their handling of COVID-19, I learned that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer to the problems exacerbated by the pandemic.”

Trent White ’25

BRAVER ANGELS DEBATE

As part of a Roan Impact Focus project, Haylie Davenport ‘23 and Keaton Smith ‘24 organized a Braver Angels debate on campus this spring to promote civil dialogue. They were inspired by their time at VMI’s 2021 Leadership and Ethics Conference, where they learned about this debate format. Braver Angels uses a highly structured, parliamentary form of debate to bring diverse groups together to discuss controversial topics in a civil manner. The goal? Better understanding for all.

KEIANDRA HARPER ’23

University of Agder (UiA) Kristiansand, Norway Kei spent the fall 2021 semester in Norway where she connected with international students and learned to navigate intercultural communications. She also learned about everyday things outside of the classroom — like nature, sustainability, and politics. SALLY CHIKOMB ’24

Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Spain Sally spent the spring 2022 semester in Barcelona, Spain. She said, "I have been immersed in the beauty of Barcelona since the day I arrived. All these things, along with my academic exploration, have promoted the growth of my personal and professional well-being." SHIVAM PATEL ’22

Fulbright Summer Institute Bristol, England Shivam participated in the Fulbright Institute's Arts, Activism, and Social Justice summer 2022 program at the University of Bristol in England — a 3-week, fully funded experience abroad. He met with leaders, poets, and local historians to learn about how Bristol continues — particularly through the arts — to uncover and redefine the legacy of slavery in the city.

ROAN EXPERIENCE

LEADERSHIP VOICES

The Roan's ‘Leadership Voices’ series provides opportunities for Scholars to learn from experienced leaders in a variety of fields.

A Conversation With Maestro Rob Seebacher

Scholars met with Dr. Rob Seebacher (left), music director and conductor of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, before attending the JCSO's first-ever performance in ETSU's new Martin Center for the Arts. Dr. Seebacher spoke about his incredible musical career, discussed the nature and experience of music, talked about the importance of resilience, and shared several laughs with Scholars.

ETSU Senior Leadership Roundtables

This spring, Roan Scholars met with members of ETSU's senior leadership team, including President Brian Noland, Provost Kimberly McCorkle, and Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Joe Sherlin. These senior leaders presented leadership case studies drawn from their own professional experiences, then engaged in small group dialogue with the Scholars about how they might approach those same challenges.