GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College alumna Malajah Johnson ’23 and senior Taylor Zuschlag ’24 participated in a program, organized by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, designed to empower college women in Pennsylvania, cultivate their leadership skills and encourage their active engagement in politics and public policy recently.
The NEW Leadership Summer Institute at Chatham University is a highly competitive weeklong residence program that brings together approximately 35 talented and motivated students from across the state. Through a rigorous application process, Johnson and Zuschlag demonstrated their exceptional qualities, earning their place among this select group.
Zuschlag said the program taught her “new skills for my career as well as teaching me you don’t have to find your voice yet … you can just continue to grow. It has helped my public speaking skills.”
Johnson and Zuschlag developed and refined their leadership skills. The institute aims to empower young women to see themselves as capable and effective leaders, fostering their passion for civic engagement. Throughout the institute that was held in early June, they engaged in various activities, including workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities with successful political women and like-minded peers. By embracing their leadership abilities, the students will be equipped to make a difference in their communities as elected or appointed officials, policymakers, issue experts, and informed citizens.
Johnson said through the institute she developed leadership skills and networked with “some amazing people—especially women in leadership” and met minority women “who were able to be role models” for her.
“This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with women who are in leadership positions,” she said.
Johnson graduated in May as a biology major and will begin a doctoral program in biomedical sciences at Penn State University’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Johnson, of Pittsburgh, is a 2019 graduate of Imani Christian Academy.
Zuschlag is a political science major with a legal studies concentration and a psychology minor. She is from Greenville, Pa. and is a 2020 graduate of Greenville High School.
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