Insights from a Previous Fellow
The actual fellowship (i.e., our monthly discussions and readings) has been one of the more valuable experiences in my time at MSU.
The main takeaway for me was that there are many people on campus who want to make the world a better place, who struggle with the system we are in, and who want to change it to be more equitable and just.
The most encouraging takeaway has been to see that people, who on the outside look like they have little in common, can discover many commonalities when they are given the space to interact, share, reflect, and listen.
There were many learning moments, but one that stands out was about leadership and risk-taking. There appear to be a genuine encouragement from the group, the leaders of the group, and the readings, to lead with integrity and push for what you believe in. At the same time, there was an acknowledgment that going against the status quo might lead to negative consequences and one might be prevented from holding positions in the future that allow one to continue to push for that change. But the true learning was seeing, how even when stopped or hindered, true leaders can still find ways to impact change.
Senta Goertler, 2020-2021 Lilly Fellow.