Christine Souffrant '11 Spring 2010

Christine is a member of the class 2011. Her campus activities include NAACP, COSO and the  Policy Research Shop.

Why did you do MLDP?

• I participated in MLDP to learn effective leadership strategies in a variety of settings. Additionally, I was interested in the opportunity to meet with distinguished faculty and scholars about their interests and workforce wisdom.

What did you love about MLDP?

• My favorite part about MLDP was interacting with the speakers. The speakers were always very dynamic and knowledgeable. Also, the food was great, it was a great way to meet new students at Dartmouth

How have the themes in MLDP applied to you campus life? In student groups or general student life?

• MLDP has applied to my curricular and co curricular endeavors.  For one, I definitely noticed several similarities between the leadership workshops of MLDP and my Policy Leadership Courses Additionally, I have applied it my own life. I use the skills taught in MLDP to improve the way I present myself to members on leadership boards and in groups.

How do you think MLDP can collaborate with other programs ion campus to be more effective and or accessible to students on campus?

• I think MLDP would be very effective if they partnered with the Career Services to hold a mandatory session for graduating seniors because most of the leadership training from MLDP is applicable in corporate, non-profit and volunteer work environments

Why would you recommend MLDP for you peers?

• The main reason I recommend this program to other student is because I learned a great deal of useful information. Further, the presentation of the material allowed me to further explore topics that I knew. Additionally, in MLDP I met great students whom I otherwise would not have known at Dartmouth.

Julius Bedford '12 MLDP FALL 2010

Julius Bedford is a member of the class of 2012. His on campus activities include Dartmouth Boxing Club, Afro-American Society, Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He is also an Undergraduate Advisor and works with the Rockefeller center. Julius was a Rocky First Year Fellow, completed the Civic Skills training program and the MLDP program in Fall 2010.

Why did you participate in MLDP?

• I had a very rewarding experience with Civic Skills Training and I wanted to continue that experience on campus.

What did you love about MLDP?

• I loved the opportunity to learn tangible work skills. The sessions on writing,  narrative sharing, and systems thinking were particularly helpful.

How have the themes in MLDP applied to you campus life? In student groups or general student life? 

• MLDP has helped to guide me on how to plan events for my fraternity and other campus organizations. It is much easier now to envision, plan, and execute successful programming events.

How do you think MLDP can collaborate with other programs  on campus to be more effective and or accessible to students on campus? 

• The Corrigans would like for every Dartmouth student to  participate in programs like MLDP to the point where a Dartmouth degree becomes synonymous with leadership skills. For that to happen MLDP alumni need to share their positive  experiences with MLDP. They are the best advocates for the program.

What ways do you think MLDP can grow?

• However MLDP grows to accommodate more students, it should maintain the spirit  of the small groups. The relationships and the sense of  trust that individuals develop in their small groups is key  to promoting a comfortable, participatory atmosphere.

Why would you recommend MLDP for you peers?

• You learn  tangible skills that translate into any working  environment. Whether you are a sophomore looking for an internship or a senior about graduate, MLDP will be a  helpful tool wherever you go.

Christabell Dorcas N. Makokha ‘11 MLDP Winter 2010

Christabell grew up in Eldoret, Kenya, but spent the last two years of high school at the United World College of the Atlantic pursuing the International Baccalaureate and exploring issues of community service and cross-cultural exchanges, in an academic setting. At Dartmouth, she is an engineering science major with a concentration in biomedical engineering. She is involved with the Dartmouth student chapters of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). She is also a sister in Epsilon Kappa Theta. She has worked as a civic intern at the Tucker Foundation and has been an undergraduate advisor for the last two years. Christabell has been involved in the "Faith in Action" Alternative Spring Break Trip to San Francisco and will be going on the Cross-Cultural Education and Service Program to Nicaragua this winter break. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school and possibly pursue a career in Product Design. 

Why do you recommend MLDP to your peers? 

• It was a great opportunity for me to explore issues of leadership, professionalism, diversity, problem-solving, among other issues. But most importantly is the fact that I had to develop my own personal development goals and work on those; in this way MLDP provided an opportunity for me to reflect on my leadership/management skills and what I wanted to improve on in those areas,

How do you apply any skills that MLDP has taught you? How has it helped you at Dartmouth? 

• The skills I have found most useful are those that I apply in my Engineering classes all the time. Most of the classes I take involve group projects and presentation; hence the sessions on problem-solving, facilitation, negotiation, dressing for success, and, excel workshop have been most helpful in allowing me to work better in teams.

How are any themes of MLDP applied to student life or campus groups?

• Facilitation is key theme since most students are involved in student-led groups. Diversity in the workplace is also a theme that is applicable to student life since we all come from different walks of life and it is important to be aware of these issues if we are to have successful organizations.

JIng Jiao '13 MLDP Fall 2010

Jing Jiao is from East Lyme Connecticut where she graduated from East Lyme High School and is involved with volunteer organizations; Nurturing Connections and the Barnaba Institute. She plans to pursue a double major in government and neuroscience. Her on campus activities include the Dartmouth Figure Skating Team, Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Amnesty International, and Wishing Well, KKG sorority. Jiao plans on working in the field of law upon graduation. This past summer Jing worked at Conservation Vision Services as a First year Fellow with the Rockefeller Center.


Why did you participate in MLDP?

• I applied for MLDP to further develop my skills as an effective leader and to meet students who are interested in leadership.  

What was you favorite part of MLDP?

• There were so many positive components of MLDP My favorite aspect of MLDP was the program's practical approach to learning. I found all of the sessions relevant and indicative of situations that I have faced in past employment.

How have you applied MLDP to your life?

• I use the training I gained in MLDP in all aspects of my life. Overall, it has made m a better leader and group member. Whenever with others in the workforce or in my student activities I work to motivate others and increase group efficiency.