Using a Wilderness Environment to Enhance Change-Creating Leadership and Community

Undergraduates enter their university experience with differing levels of maturity, belonging, and leadership. Enhancing these character-building traits to support confidence, competence, academic achievement, as well collaborative qualities the employment world demands is goal most universities, outcomes are ultimately interpreted individual growth. At UHD, senior level peer mentors (juniors/seniors) selected through a nomination process by self, faculty, or current mentors. This occurs at end spring semester in preparation for upcoming fiscal year. Often times, single attribute considered focuses on enthusiasm alone. How can community leadership be intentionally bolstered within any mentor group leading STEM undergraduates three-month period prior new semester? plan outlines journey unfamiliarity, physical/mental challenge, building enhanced all while wilderness environment.