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Student leaders, alumni coaches launch Community Catalyst

The third-annual Community Catalyst Leadership Program, which pairs student leaders with alumni coaches, held its kickoff event on Saturday, Oct. 3. The year-long program gives students the tools and guidance to develop their leadership potential.
Alumni coach Paul Edelman '78 participates in ice-breaking exercises at the 3rd annual Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Caption:
Alumni coach Paul Edelman '78 participates in ice-breaking exercises at the 3rd annual Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Credits:
Tom Gearty
Greer Swiston '87 and Jhanavi Pathak '11 meet at the Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Caption:
Greer Swiston '87 and Jhanavi Pathak '11 meet at the Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Credits:
Tom Gearty
Hyun-A Park '83 is paired as an alumni coach for Sammi Wyman '11.
Caption:
Hyun-A Park '83 is paired as an alumni coach for Sammi Wyman '11.
Credits:
Tom Gearty
Dean for Student Life, Chris Colombo speaks at the Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Caption:
Dean for Student Life, Chris Colombo speaks at the Community Catalyst kick-off event.
Credits:
Tom Gearty
Janelle Fouche '11 and Orlando Saldivar '11  complete self-assessment exercises at the community Catalyst kick-off event.
Caption:
Janelle Fouche '11 and Orlando Saldivar '11 complete self-assessment exercises at the community Catalyst kick-off event.
Credits:
Tom Gearty
William Hecht '61, Vrajesh Modi '11, Anna Waldman-Brown '11, and Community Catalyst founder Alan Spoon '73 at the Community Catalyst kick-off event on October 3, 2009.
Caption:
William Hecht '61, Vrajesh Modi '11, Anna Waldman-Brown '11, and Community Catalyst founder Alan Spoon '73 at the Community Catalyst kick-off event on October 3, 2009.
Credits:
Tom Gearty

The Alan ’73 and Terri Spoon Community Catalyst Leadership Program held its third-annual kickoff event on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Community Catalyst pairs 50 juniors from across the Institute with alumni coaches for a year-long intensive leadership development program.

Community Catalyst promotes the value of alumni connections, builds a network of peer leaders at MIT, and prepares students for leadership roles after graduation.

“All students posses leadership capabilities. Students who participate in Community Catalyst refine and enhance these abilities with the help of alumni coaches,” said Jed Wartman, assistant dean for Student Activities.

At the kickoff event, students met with their alumni coaches, participated in ice-breaking and self-assessment exercises, and were welcomed to the program by alumnus and founder Alan Spoon ’73.

“I have been involved in leadership on campus, but had never reflected on my strengths and weaknesses as a leader,” said Sammy Wyman ’11. “I decided to apply for Community Catalyst to learn more about the philosophy of leadership and be more intentional in my leadership roles.”  

Throughout the year, participants attend one-on-one meetings with their alumni coaches, networking events, leadership development workshops, and a dinner at Gray House with MIT President Susan Hockfield.

For more information, visit the Community Catalyst web site at http://sld.mit.edu/communitycatalyst/

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