Salem Academy and College Kicks Off Women in Leadership Month with RISE Leadership Event

October is Women’s Leadership Month at Salem Academy and College, and we’ll be celebrating and exploring ideas around leadership all month long. The month kicked off with a RISE Leadership event on October 1.

RISE Leadership is a program designed to empower Salem College students to become leaders who create a better, healthier, more equitable world. Through the program, students gain the knowledge and skills to become confident and courageous leaders. Participants attend leadership-focused events, including two RISE Leadership Days each year, that provide opportunities to reflect on and strengthen their leadership skills.

On October 1, students and members of Salem’s faculty and staff, along with alumnae and community leaders, gathered for a day of learning, creative activities, and meaningful discussions. The day’s theme was “Quality Relationships,” and participants explored the qualities of meaningful relationships and how they relate to leadership, community, and well-being. Through hands-on activities, they discovered how strong relationships are built one strand, one bead, and one meaningful moment at a time.

The event’s ethical touchstone was care, emphasizing how compassion, respect, and empathy foster meaningful connections and serve as foundational leadership skills. Students also practiced their active listening and interpersonal skills through group activities. Working collaboratively with their table community, they explored how different experiences and perspectives help build a diverse, supportive community.

The RISE Leadership program is open to Salem College students and Salem Academy juniors and seniors. The program provides students with opportunities to develop essential leadership skills and build the confidence to make a positive impact in their communities.