The Zachry Leadership Program has selected its second cohort of sophomore engineering students to complete the five-semester certificate program. The cohort is made up of 32 students who will begin program activities in January.
The Zachry Leadership Program is a joint effort between the Texas A&M University College of Engineering and Zachry Group. The purpose of the program is to further empower engineering students to become future leaders who are well-versed in free enterprise, collaborative in their decision-making and humbly self-confident in their behaviors. Each student is awarded a $1,000 scholarship each semester while enrolled in the program.
Seth Sullivan recently joined the college of engineering as director of the Zachry Leadership Program. He graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in industrial distribution in 2001. He also earned a master’s degree in international affairs from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
“I’m thrilled and humbled to join this unique program and to work closely with our partners at Zachry to build a revolutionary leadership program for engineers,” he said.
Sullivan said this program offers students an exciting experience to gain insight from industry leaders while also learning more about their own potential.
“This group of students will be introduced to leadership principles like self-awareness, empathy, creativity and authenticity, and will also learn about business and Residentship,” he said. “These young people all have a passion for making a difference in the world, and we want to empower each one of them to do so.”
Bob Gresham, vice president of engineering development at Zachry Group, works closely in the curriculum design process for the Zachry Leadership Program. He often visits with the students throughout their five semesters in the program.
“The Zachry Leadership Program exposes engineering students to business, community service and leadership insights that they otherwise may not learn until later in their careers,” Gresham said. “They will also connect with professionals in the engineering field to help them better understand career opportunities and clarify their own career goals.”
As someone who works in industry, Gresham said Zachry Group seeks employees who are well-rounded, who communicate and connect well with others and who are humble, yet self-confident.
“This program exposes students to different experiences and perspectives that will help them learn about themselves and grow as leaders,” he said.
The first cohort began in January 2016 and will complete its certificate requirements in May 2018.