Rockefeller Leadership Fellow: Feyaad Allie '16

 This series introduces the 2015-2016 Rockefeller Leadership Fellows. Each fellow reflects on why he or she wanted to be a part of the program and what aspects of leadership most interests them.

I am interested in the Rockefeller Leadership Fellows Program because I view it as an incredible opportunity to learn about my skills as a leader and analyze the way that I function in a group setting. RLF will allow me to meet leaders from all areas of interests across campus and learn how I can incorporate their ideas of being a leader into the way that I function as a leader.

One aspect of leadership that I’m interested in is understanding the ideal way for a leader to communicate in various environments. I think that communication is extremely important in a leadership role and how other members of a group view a leader has a tremendous impact on the cohesiveness of the group. Specifically, I am curious about how to demonstrate confidence within a group without being perceived as arrogant.

RLF will allow me to explore these leadership skills and others in order to improve my leadership abilities. Broadly, I am interested in pursuing a career that would allow me to impact counterterrorism and counter-radicalization policy. I hope to work as a consultant for two years before pursuing a Ph.D. in political science. With a doctorate degree I intend to work as an advisor to the government on counterterrorism or to be a professor and serve as a consultant to departments in the government on the side. Alternatively, I may pursue an MBA and start my own federal consulting firm.

I will add an understanding of diversity when thinking about leadership to the new delegation of RLF. Having experience working in a group in South Africa, I have an interesting viewpoint on how understanding the diversity of individuals plays a role in being an effective leader. Also, I have served as a leader to groups with older, younger, and same-aged members, which gives me a perspective on how to relate to different groups. I primarily want to gain a more robust understanding of theories of leadership and how to put them into practice throughout my time in RLF. I would also like to understand of how students from different interest areas use various leadership qualities in their fields. Finally, I hope to gain a network of leaders who I can connect with professionally and personally to help us collectively improve as leaders.

Feyaad Allie ’16 is from South Florida and graduated as Salutatorian from Coral Spring High School. In high school, he served as the Debate Team President for two years and earned several awards at regional and national tournaments. At Dartmouth, he is a first-year undergraduate advisor, a tour guide, and the editor-in-chief of World Outlook Journal for International Relations. Feyaad has served as a research assistant to three professors in the Government Department and has done independent research on the UK counter-radicalization policy while on the Government Study Abroad in London. He has held internships in social entrepreneurship and finance. After graduation, Feyaad plans to pursue consulting or a Ph.D. in political science.