“Surge has transformed my personal and professional life for the better! I now walk and talk with a level of confidence and deeper understanding of my strengths than ever before. I also know that I now walk among giants that will always have my back and I theirs.”
“Surge enables me to see the possibility beyond my position. Surge encouraged me to connect in order to conquer fear and collaborate for the success of all black and brown scholars. Surge inspired me to lead authentically and let my light guide the work, people, and scholars I love. Surge quenched my thirst for excellence…
“Going into the Surge Fellowship, I expected to emerge with a set of executive skills that would usher me into the next level of leadership. While those hard skills were developed, something less tangible and more important was instilled in me: power. Surge enables you to not only know the landscape, but to look inward…
“Through the Surge Fellowship, I gained increased confidence in my identity and abilities as a leader along with clarity of purpose. I was able to further develop the executive skills necessary to increase my impact and to move the goals of my organization forward in order to play a broader role in closing the opportunity…
“One of the first things that come to mind about my Surge experience is my inability to intellectualize what was a transformative and spiritual experience. I entered the Fellowship thinking that I would surely sharpen my executive skills and broaden my network so that I could be ready for a “seat at the table” on…
“Surge has proven to me that authenticity and professionalism are not mutually exclusive characteristics in leadership. As a black woman working to influence institutions of higher education I am uniquely positioned to advocate for our black and brown babies because of my entire story. Surge has highlighted the transformative influence we can all have if…
“More than anything, Surge has instilled a belief that I belong. It’s instilled a confidence in me that I lacked. Often times, given my upbringing, I lacked confidence when I found myself in professional settings. I simply did not feel worthy of being in the same space as many of the very bright and innovative…
“My experience with Surge has fortified my belief that ‘community’ is a powerful source of strength and wisdom. As I reflect on my future in education, I appreciate that my potential for impact magnifies when contributing to the many ongoing efforts led by my Surge brothers and sisters. Similarly, my own work’s impact accelerates when…
“On this side of the fellowship, I know better and commit to do better. The Surge Fellowship is a commencement to a new leadership that I am capable of modeling. I know I am capable of operating with a greater sense of peace and efficacy. I know that I can lead anytime, anywhere. That my…
“Surge doesn’t end in development; it ends in metamorphosis. I entered conflicted and, honestly, confused regarding my work, my connection to our city, and my future in education. I exit confident in myself, my impact, and my mission. I exit connected to an amazing network of Surge siblings and family. I ‘exit’ consciously knowing there…