Changemaker Academy Welcomes First Cohort: A Journey of Presence and Purpose 

The inaugural cohort of the Changemaker Academy hit the ground running with a kickoff focused on preparing its 28 members for turbulent times in leadership. 

Workshops and discussion at the opening event challenged cohort members to reflect on their reason for their work and their personal purposes in life – their “why.” Melissa Gerrior, director of Belonging & Student Support, keynoted the event and encouraged academy participants to use their “why” as a beacon to follow when things get rough in professional and personal life. 

“Defining your ‘why’ isn’t about a single lightning bolt moment. It’s usually the result of reflection and noticing patterns in your beliefs, thoughts, and actions,” Gerrior said, noting that her purpose had kept her centered on her work over the last decade when it seemed everything else was spinning out of control. “If turbulence is a given … then knowing your ‘why’ is your internal gyroscope. It keeps you balanced when the world tilts.” 

Changemaker participants followed Gerrior’s remarks with a discussion of their own purpose for their work and the challenges they’d faced over their careers – whether that was a loss of program funding, a change in leadership direction, or riding a political wave. Cohort members also walked through mindfulness and breathing exercises with Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati, a practice meant to help “rewire the brain” to better handle moments of high stress. 

Rayne Bozeman, who leads the four-month Changemakers Academy leadership development program, said the program’s theme – navigating turbulent times – was intentional and meant to encourage the cohort of leaders to learn to insulate themselves from external pressures that could derail the purpose behind their work.  

It was clear through the day’s discussions that cohort members came ready to learn from and support each other in creating a network of leadership at Georgia Tech that is self-aware, constantly growing, and supportive of each other, said Robert Hampson, director of business operations for the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success. 

“I’m really excited about all the additional tools I’m going to put into my proverbial tool belt, and I’m excited to see how Changemakers is going to continue building on a lot of the courses and programs and workshops that I’ve already done at Georgia Tech,” Hampson said. 

Through workshops, executive coaching, and dialogue, Changemaker Academy participants build competencies in leadership, emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, mindful leadership, and intercultural dialogue. The program is led by internationally recognized faculty and aims to  

When participants complete the program in January, they will join the Changemaker network, gaining continued access to leadership development and community support. For more information, visit the Changemaker Academy webpage.