Learning to Lead Through Research
February 19, 2026
Ready to Roar In Action: Student Stories
When I stepped into the role of Research Ambassadors President at LSU, I was not handed a script or a manual. I was given people—curious, capable, uncertain—and a responsibility to make research legible, inviting, and alive. Leadership, I learned quickly, is something you work at.
Making Research Heard
As President of the Research Ambassadors, my work was not simply to oversee projects or coordinate events, but to cultivate communicators. Research is often imagined as something sealed behind institutional doors, written in a language accessible only to those already fluent. Our task was to open those doors. To teach undergraduate researchers how to speak about their work not by simplifying it, but by amplifying it.
In monthly meetings, workshops, and one-on-one conversations, I learned how differently
people think, process, and express themselves. Some arrived with confidence but little
structure. Others carried brilliant ideas trapped behind uncertainty. Leadership required
me to adapt—to meet each person where they were and help them move forward without
erasing their voice. I learned that effective communication begins not with speaking, but with making others feel heard.
Growing Into Leadership
Through this role, I developed a leadership style rooted in collaboration rather than 
command. I learned how to give feedback that sharpens rather than silences, how to
guide discussion without dominating it, and how to resolve conflict by returning to
a shared purpose. When challenges arose—as they always do in collective work—I learned
that transparency builds trust, and trust builds resilience.
Public-facing research events demanded another kind of growth. Standing as a representative of LSU research meant learning how to speak across disciplines, to audiences ranging from first-year students to faculty and administrators. I learned to read a room, to adjust tone without compromising substance, and to advocate for undergraduate research as not merely a résumé line, but as a formative intellectual practice.
More Than A Title
What this role taught me most profoundly is that leadership is an ethical practice.
To lead is to shape environments—intellectual, professional, emotional—in which others
learn what is possible for themselves. As Research Ambassadors President, I was not only helping students articulate their research; I was helping
them see themselves as scholars, as contributors, as voices worth hearing.
As I plan to pursue graduate school through a master’s and PhD and enter a career in academia—while remaining open to journalism or other professional paths—I reflect on how the networking, communication, leadership, organization, and time-management skills I have developed will positively impact me for the rest of my life. The skills that I have gained as President are ones I will carry into my future; they are relevant not only in academia but also in my personal and professional relationships. By helping me build and sustain these relationships, the Ready to Roar career proficiencies will support a long-lasting career and a strong connection to my community.
About the LSU Career Center
Our team is committed to ensuring every student has ample opportunities to gain experience, grow their network, and communicate their aptitude for a chosen career long before graduation. We believe LSU students are unparalleled in their potential to step into leadership, solve problems, and elevate the workforce for the benefit of all.
Ready to Roar Career Proficiencies
At LSU, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience to succeed in any field. With a blend of professional experiences, academic pursuits, and involvement opportunities both on and off campus, you'll graduate Ready to Roar.