Program Overview

“A good leader is someone who realizes their own power and uses it to make room for others.”
Staci Batchelor (Oaks ’19, ’20, ’21; NCSU ’21)

What is the Oaks Leadership Scholars Program?

Oaks Scholars are students devoted to developing their leadership capacity to create change. They study systems, and learn about the ways in which those systems act on (and for people). Our workshops cover topics including intersectionality, leadership for change, distributions of power, allyship, advocacy, and the deconstruction/reconstruction of systems.

If you are someone who wants to build your leadership skills in community with others, who wants to be a positive change agent, who is interested in equity and building stronger communities, please consider applying.

What do students gain as Oaks Scholars?

Authentic leadership skills for creating positive change in communities that can be applied in personal and professional settings
Knowledge related to allyship, advocacy, justice, identity, and systems of power
An understanding of policy development
An ability to identify issues of justice and equity in context, and
Knowledge of and experience working on change in their communities

What are the requirements for being an Oaks Scholar?

Have at least one full academic year left in degree program and are in good academic standing
Attend 15 cohort workshops throughout the year (2 hours per session)
Meet monthly with assigned mentor
Design and execute an action-oriented transformative leadership project that will be presented at the end of the year
Travel with the program, including an end of year trip to Washington, D.C.

Questions about the Oaks Leadership Scholars?