Education: The Foundation of Modern Leadership by Kevin

Education: The Foundation of Modern Leadership by Kevin - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

John F. Kennedy once said that leadership and education go hand in hand, however, I know there is more to the story. Clearly, education inspires leaders to arise because most world leaders today have some kind of higher educational background. In addition, millions of students graduate from renowned institutions across the globe every year, and they show initiative to those around them in their own unique way. The difference between the two is simply the definition and degree of leadership to which we speak.

Successful university students do not have to fill a specific leadership role to be classified as successful. Contrary to popular belief, successful students have leadership simply because they are there furthering their minds for the benefit of others in society. One student may have the goal of becoming the first person in their family to graduate from a community college, while another may have the goal of graduating as the student body president at Duke University. These two students are both equally successful and have leadership by galvanizing those in their lives to reach their dreams. When these students complete community service projects, start non-profit organizations, and volunteer at local businesses they are demonstrating their leadership skills while nurturing those around them.

Leadership is a trait few people have been born with, but leadership, to an extent, can be taught. For example, many schools have a course entitled 'leadership' that sparks the ability to guide others around in the positive direction. Success in a university does not depend on the extent of a students' leadership in the school. A student does not have to be active in school leadership to receive a high grade point average. Success after college will depend on their ability to absorb the leadership tools they learned in college and utilize them in a way to better the world and those in it.

Leadership in college is drawn out naturally when students are active in their community or applying the knowledge of courses that promote it. Whether a community college graduate, or a Harvard alumnus, exceeding through a secondary education system takes hard work that inspires others to do the same. To alter John F. Kennedy's statement, success in education does not depend on leadership, but success in education inspires leadership in the future.