Students representing the Heavener Leadership Challenge at Business Bash.

Heavener Leadership Challenge

Making leadership everyone’s business

Using principles from “The Student Leadership Challenge” to develop your individual leadership style, you’ll engage in action-based scenarios to experience the leadership practices in real time.

Your leadership ability will expand through application at school and work.  As a participant in the Heavener Leadership Challenge, you’ll join about 65 other students in completing a self-assessment where you evaluate your leadership behaviors. Then, you learn to apply them in a formal challenge scenario.

Core philosophy

The Heavener Leadership Challenge includes core philosophies to instill within each participant.

Leadership is everyone’s business

Leadership is learned

Leadership starts with a relationship

Learning to lead is an ongoing process

Leadership development is self-development

Leadership requires deliberate practice

Leadership is an aspiration and choice

Leadership makes a difference

Program outcomes

Participating in the Heavener Leadership Challenge will help you with specific outcomes.

Students around a table in the Heavener Leadership Challenge.

Personal identity

Develop a personal mission, vision and values statement.

Students around a table working together.

Self-reflection

Identify The 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership within yourself, your organizations and your peers.

A student confidently presenting.

Capstone project

Create and execute a capstone project encompassing the practices of the student leadership challenge.

HLC students in the stadium.

Leadership behaviors

Align your leadership behaviors to reflect The 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership.

Student participating in an activity at an HLC event.

Action plan

Develop an action plan for future leadership and personal development.

Join the Heavener Leadership Challenge

Interested in joining the next Heavener Leadership Challenge class, finding your home within the Warrington College of Business and taking your leadership experience to the next level? Apply to participate, be a facilitator or member of the administration team.

Responsibilities (1.5 hours/week):

  • Attend orienteering
  • Overnight retreat
  • Weekly meetings
  • Social activities
  • Capstone experience

Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate business majors. Not open to business minors.
Group of Heavener Leadership Challenge members.

Responsibilities (5 hours/week):

  • Demonstrate program values to facilitate growth in new members.
  • Facilitate group activities, discussions and talks.
  • Create and present a 15 to 20 minute TED Talk style presentation.
  • Lead the capstone experience.

Eligibility:

  • Graduate of the Heavener Leadership Challenge
Heavener Leadership Challenge award winners.

Roles:

  • Executive Director
  • Executive Director of Administration
  • Director of Marketing
  • Director of Recruitment
  • Director of Program Excellence

*Subject to program’s needs

Responsibilities (5 hours/week):

  • Demonstrate values learned throughout the program.
  • Collaborate on weekly processes.
  • Assist at overnight retreat and capstone experience.
  • Attend meetings, events, interviews.

Eligibility:

  • Graduate of the Heavener Leadership Challenge
Robert Sandargas and Grace Garland at an HLC event.

Leadership team

Grace Garland

Grace Garland

Executive Director

Gabriel Federighi

Gabriel Federighi

Executive Director of Administration

Katelyn King

Katelyn King

Director of Marketing

Michelle Ojala

Michelle Ojala

Director of Program Excellence

Andrew Dolski

Andrew Dolski

Director of Recruitment

  • Ava Rathet
  • Avery Allen
  • Brady Grooters
  • Chloe Daniel
  • Colin Pflug
  • Erika Guilbault
  • Eva Sutton
  • Evan LaPrade
  • Gabe Salvat
  • Jake Sketo
  • Kate Caskey
  • Malloy Mauch
  • Nicolas Sanders
  • Nicholas Gagliardo
  • Pierce Walker
  • Renee Zaiss
Heavener Leadership Challenge group.

Contact us

Ashton DeMarse
Program Director & Advisor
Program Coordinator, Leadership & Experiential Programs
Heavener School of Business, Experiential Learning Department
352-273-0165
Email Ashton