ISSUED: 25 August 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s Division of Student Affairs recently welcomed 49 new students to L.E.A.D.S., a weeklong experience designed for first-year and transfer students to strengthen their academic, leadership, and community service skills before classes begin. Now in its third year, the program ran from August 16 to 21, 2025.
Shepherd L.E.A.D.S. stands for leadership, education, action, development, and service. The program offers both residential and commuter students an opportunity to build connections, gain essential tools for college success, and contribute meaningfully to the community through service and leadership activities.
This year’s program featured a Day of Service where L.E.A.D.S. students and Shepherd employees cleaned the banks of the Shenandoah River in partnership with local business River & Trails Outfitters. They also completed support projects for Shepherd University’s Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm, the Shepherdstown Community Club, and other on-campus projects.
“The Day of Service provides students the opportunity to explore new environments and truly get to connect with their peers and find themselves,” said Coordinator of Student Community Services and Special Initiatives Jackson Heath.
In addition to service projects, students participated in interactive workshops organized by Hajra Malik, success coach in Shepherd’s Student Success Center. These sessions introduced students to essential campus resources such as Accessibility Services, Counseling Services, the Student Success Center, and the Bill and Bonnie Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications.
Peer mentorship also played a central role, with Shepherd’s A-Team, current students who support orientation, participating throughout the program.
“I have been an A-Teamer for the L.E.A.D.S. program for two years, and I have to say, it works,” said -Dei’Ja Taylor-Mallory, a Shepherd University student and A-Team member. “There are so many [L.E.A.D.S.] students I see day-to-day that are [now] in positions on organizations and making an impact. I have the pleasure of seeing them open up and even make bonds with people [they once] knew as strangers. It is such a beautiful thing!”
L.E.A.D.S. concluded with students applying their leadership skills—partnering with the Office of Residence Life to welcome and assist incoming first-year students during move-in day on Thursday, August 21.
The program reflects Shepherd University’s ongoing commitment to fostering leadership, academic readiness, service, and community.
To learn more about the Shepherd L.E.A.D.S. program, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/leads.
— ### —
