June 28, 2024

Innovating leadership at the Spring CELEbration

The 2024 Spring CELEbration highlighted the intersection of service and leadership at the University of Washington. Students involved in the Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center and Mary Gates Endowment Leadership Scholars showcased their service, leadership and activist work from the academic year. The HUB, North Ballroom and Conference Rooms were filled with energy on May 24, the date of the culminating student event. Family, friends, mentors and community partners interacted with students during the CELEbration, which included lightning talk rounds, table talk presentations, poster sessions and a video showcase.

Honors Program undergrad Nathan Loutsis, ‘24, majoring in political science: international security with minors in public policy and leadership, first connected with the CELE Center as a UW Presidential Scholar. “Director Fran Lo not only collaborated with me to develop an individual leadership plan but also connected me with leadership opportunities that arose during my academic journey,” Loutsis explained.

Loutsis’ commitment to public service began at age 14 through a youth volunteer program with King County. In high school, a personal incident sparked his passion for creating safe school walking routes. As a result, Loutsis began serving as a planning commissioner for Kenmore at 16. “I brought a unique perspective to the table, representing a younger and often overlooked demographic,” Loutsis said.

With his background in local service and community governance, Loutsis was an ideal candidate for the NextGen Civic Leader Corps, a UW tri-campus, interdisciplinary program that widens the pathways to public service. Loutsis is currently a city council member for Kenmore, a position he won in last year’s election, “Running for office was challenging, but I won and continue to fall in love with public service and civic engagement every day.” Loutsis added,  “I enjoy empowering young people to participate.”

At the event, Loutsis presented his Husky Leadership Certificate in a table talk format, sharing his leadership development project. Initially, Loutsis viewed leadership as a hierarchical construct. Over time, he saw it as an interpersonal and social influence. “Leadership is unique to each person. How we utilize our strengths and character to guide others is significant,” said Loutsis.

As he prepares to begin his master’s in public administration at the Evans School this fall, Loutsis credits the CELE Center as a pivotal part of his Husky experience. “This community has supported me in unimaginable ways, providing comprehensive leadership development,” he says. Loutsis believes the CELE Center equipped him with leadership skills and helped him discover his potential. “I can continue this work, developing the skills, theories and competencies to serve my community more effectively.”

Foundations for success

Ellis Fellow and Husky 100 awardee, Bryan Ortega, ’24, presented his leadership reflection during one of the evening’s lightning rounds. A first-generation Latino student majoring in molecular, cellular and developmental biology, Ortega participated in the CELE Center’s Undergraduate Community Based Internships (UCBI) program. He attributed his strong leadership foundations and values to his family, stating, “My parents and grandparents are my main inspiration; they have been the foundation for what I have accomplished so far,” he said.

Ortega began his years of community service volunteering at a local hospital in Independence, Oregon, during high school. After moving to Seattle as a first-year student, he dedicated himself to youth shelter advocacy and spent two years working with young adults experiencing homelessness. Through UCBI, Ortega partnered with El Centro De La Raza, offering financial literacy support to empower people of all races. Currently, Ortega is an associate teacher at Bright Horizons, an early childhood education center, where he works with children ranging from infants to six years old.

Ortega emphasized that leadership embodies a profound commitment to growth and continuous learning. He views the role of a leader as a guide and a source of support, with a firm grasp of humility. “If you’re a leader who can’t admit that you’re making a mistake, are you really leading?” he questioned.

Ortega highlighted the importance of communication as a leader, not just for expressing his ideas but also for engaging in meaningful conversations. “There’s so much more that I’m excited to continue learning, and UW and the Ellis Fellowship have been integral in helping me develop my core values,” he reflected.

As Ortega prepares to pursue medical school, he looks at his CELE Center experience with gratitude. “I couldn’t be more fortunate for the opportunity and the connections I made. I learned to trust in myself and my abilities, and to see myself as a scientist,” he shared.

A way to give back

Su Cho, ’24, is a neuroscience major who demonstrated her leadership and service through her involvement with the Dream Project as a College and Career Readiness Assistant (CCRA). Presenting via the poster format of the event, Cho expressed her connection to the project’s mission, stating, “I was drawn to this work because I am also a first-generation student whose parents didn’t know about college and the systems here.” Cho found a passion in providing resources and guidance to first-gen students, immigrants and those from low-income families.

Cho shared how her sensitivity and understanding of the unique challenges faced by these students made her a strong leader in the Dream Project. Her personal experiences allowed her to be more respectful and sensitive when dealing with students’ family situations, financial status and other personal matters. “Having gone through a similar experience allowed me to understand their perspective,” Cho said. “I was able to support them respectfully, promoting their empowerment and self-respect. I hope this equips them with more opportunities and paves the way for future success wherever they go,” Cho shared.

Cho cited her service with the Dream Project as not just beneficial to the students she assisted, but also to her personal and academic growth. She viewed her role mentoring high school students as they navigated through barriers as a way of “passing down all the resources and giving back what I’ve received.” Cho hopes to apply these experiences in her future healthcare career, using her expanded understanding of diverse individuals and their circumstances to understand and serve all of her patients.

Photos from the 2024 Spring CELEbration

These photos are a sampling of students’ projects and presentations. Photos by Jayden Becles and Nancy Huizar.

About the Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center

The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to thriving communities; building authentic community and campus partnerships drive the work. CELE Center programs are centered around the areas of community-engaged learning, democratic engagement, leadership education, preK-12 student success and place-based initiatives.

About Mary Gates Leadership Scholarships

Mary Gates Leadership Scholarships encourage undergraduate students to develop their leadership abilities through practical experience, personal reflection and in community with mentors and peers.