Tiffany Leon ’28 recently participated in the inaugural Young Global Leaders Seminar at Rhodes House, University of Oxford, supported by Achieve Atlanta.
Leon, along with 12 other students, was selected for the program based on her leadership and involvement with Achieve Atlanta. The five-day program developed their leadership skills, had them read about and discuss complex issues, and taught them about the history of the United Kingdom and marginalized groups in educational and cultural settings.
“It was magnificent to tour the Ashmolean Museum, the British Museum, Blenheim Palace, and the National Portrait Gallery, as well as hear from a panel of Oxford alumni,” said Leon. “These experiences raised important questions about historical injustices, representation, and how we can build more equitable cultural relationships.”
Exploring topics such as Latines in education and African-American history showed Leon the importance of representation and of remaining curious about cultural identity. Group discussions on certain issues also taught her to advocate for herself and her ideas without fear of judgment.
The business administration major was already familiar with open small-group discussions thanks to Oglethorpe’s class sizes and its commitment to effective communication. She credits a course with Dr. Seema Shrikhande for exposing her to productive dialogues and for helping her learn the value of sharing her perspective while also listening to others.
Leon also went into the program with some leadership experience already under her belt as an Achieve Atlanta ambassador and peer mentor at Oglethorpe.
“Tiffany is a dedicated and caring mentor for students coming into Oglethorpe,” says Raquel Manzo, assistant director of first-generation and student support programs. “She’s shown such dedication, hard work and initiative in her roles and I know her future is so bright. Tiffany is so deserving of this opportunity and truly embodies what it means to be a leader!“
Having now returned from Oxford, Leon is equipped with the skills she needs to continue making an impact as a leader on Oglethorpe’s campus and in her future marketing career.
“Overall, my experience at Oxford was transformational,” says Leon. “I left the experience with valuable insights into research, leadership and the importance of representation. I am grateful to Achieve Atlanta and the Center for Youth & the Future of Work for making this opportunity possible and for allowing me to grow, contribute and learn alongside such remarkable scholars and change-makers.”
