A Living Laboratory of Leadership
March 9, 2026
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." — U.S. President John Quincy Adams
Good Morning BW,
My journey to the presidency of Baldwin Wallace University began long before I ever imagined working in higher education. It started as a member of student government from elementary school through college — when I first learned the power of listening and representing the voices of others — and continued through eighteen years in elected state public office.
Over the years, one of the lessons I learned was that leadership is less about speaking and more about listening. My responsibility wasn't to have immediate answers, but to create spaces for the right answers to emerge.
Those lessons became even more essential in public office. Town halls, neighborhood meetings, and community visits taught me that decisions are strongest when shaped by many voices — not just the loudest, but also the quiet, overlooked, and hesitant ones. And as my friends Katia and Eric (a prominent BW alum) noted at dinner last evening — it's not just about learning lessons - it's about spreading lessons.
I want BW to be a living laboratory for leadership lessons.
That's why I've taken a special interest in working with and learning from BW student leaders. Over the past 6 months, I've had the opportunity to work with 2025 Student Body President Leah Kania and Vice President Aniya Qualls. Leah and Aniya, working with the Student Senate under the leadership of Student Senate President Samela Xhaferi Ahmed, have shown tremendous leadership advocating for the concerns of all BW students, and, in particular, students with psychological, medical, physical, and learning disabilities.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the inauguration of Faith Gillette as 2026 Student Body President and Noah Engel as Vice-President. As I heard Faith, Noah, Leah, Aniya, Samela, and other student government leaders talk about their BW experience, I realized that I have much to learn from them as leaders. I want to thank the Student Body Officers, Student Senators, and members of the Supreme Court of Students for leaning into leadership.
Being a student leader, whether or not you are in student government, is one of the most meaningful ways for students to prepare for a lifetime of civic engagement. When BW students step into any leadership role, they learn firsthand how to listen, collaborate, debate respectfully, and make hard decisions. These experiences build the habits of civil discourse — engaging with differing viewpoints, finding common ground, and advocating thoughtfully for what they believe.
Student government also helps students understand the essential role of free speech in a healthy democracy. On a campus filled with varied perspectives, student leaders must navigate open dialogue, encourage constructive expression, and protect the rights of others to speak — even when views differ from their own. That practice cultivates a deeper appreciation for why free speech matters and how it strengthens both communities and society.
Being a student leader is a powerful training ground for responsible citizenship and living with integrity, respect, and purpose. Employers consistently seek graduates who can communicate clearly, take initiative, and collaborate across differences. Student leadership nurtures these abilities, helping BW students graduate with real, marketable career skills.
The BW student leadership experience encourages curiosity, civic engagement, and an ability to navigate uncertainty — in short, the skills that define BW's promise of graduating students who are truly leader-ready, career-ready, and future-ready.
Have a great day and a great week.
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University