Lindsay Salem ’18 on Management and Leadership

The Management and Leadership Development Program (MLDP) is a one-term program designed to engage students through hands-on learning of core management and leadership skills.

Each week participants work individually and in small groups to develop practical skills that they can apply immediately to their leadership roles in campus organizations, internships, projects, and their careers.

“I took MLDP to help Dartmouth EMS,” says Lindsay Salem ’18. Lindsay is a member of the Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services and was recently elected to the position of Executive Director for the 2016 to 2017 academic year. “I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an EMT," says Lindsay, "and public health is something that I’ve always taken an interest in.”

As she became more involved, Lindsay said she struggled with dealing with profession communication. MLDP was the cure. “Working with the heads of Safety and Security, the Hanover Fire Chief, and doctors at the hospital intimidated me at first," recalls Lindsay. "I had never given much thought to improving my communication skills. It wasn’t until I was put into the situation that I realized how unprepared I was.”

Lindsay said she came in to the program with an open mind, and was surprised at how much she learned about the nuances of management and leadership. She was surprised at the amount of practical experience acquired during the different sessions. She was especially grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Sargent on professional and concise communication.

“The outdoor session was also particularly memorable," says Lindsay. "It’s one thing to learn about leadership, it’s another to actually feel the rush and confusion that often accompanies it.”

-Written by Joshua Perez '17, Rockefeller Center Student Program Assistant for the Management and Leadership Development Program