This module challenged me to move from thinking about leadership in the abstract to actually claiming a legacy I want to leave behind. What struck me most was the reminder that I will leave a legacy either way — the only real question is whether I shape it intentionally or let it form by default. That reframed the work for me. Every interaction I have with students, faculty, and staff at the Amherst Early College Center is already writing the story of how I will be remembered as a leader. The three-step process of reflecting on my career, finding the themes that have followed me, and then writing a statement rooted in the two or three characteristics I most want to reflect gave me a clear structure for something I had only thought about loosely before. I also appreciated the research showing that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them — a simple but powerful reminder that clarity on paper leads to action in practice. Going forward, I want to build my legacy around leading with purpose, benevolence, and belief in others. I want to be remembered as a leader who took underserved students seriously, walked with faculty and staff through both ordinary and difficult seasons, and used every platform I was given to open doors for others rather than simply protect my own. The Personal Leadership Development Plan is not a one-time exercise for me — it is a living document I intend to revisit regularly as I grow, learn, and keep shaping the legacy I want to leave.
With Benevolence, Shannon
