Message from the Director – March 2025
Cultivating Growth: Intentional Practices for Your Present and Future
From: Dr. Miguel Baique, Director of the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity, University of Rochester
As we move past the halfway point of the academic semester and step deeper into 2025, I encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect—not just on your academics and extracurricular commitments, but on your personal growth. The habits and mindsets you cultivate now will shape the person you continue to become.
Throughout my own journey, I have learned that it’s easy to get caught in the grind of classes, leadership roles, and endless to-do lists. But once this phase of life is over, how do you ensure that you keep growing? How do you stay engaged, challenged, and evolving? The answer lies in intentionality. Here are a few guiding practices that I have found invaluable:
Stay Curious—Growth doesn’t happen by accident, it requires curiosity. Take time to think critically about yourself, your purpose, and the world around you. Challenge yourself to ask the ‘big’ questions. Who am I becoming? What kind of impact do I want to have? Who are the people influencing my path? For me, staying curious means reading, engaging in deep conversations, and allowing myself moments of solitude—not just time scrolling on a screen, but real reflection.
Commit to Lifelong Learning—Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Stay true to your values and goals by actively seeking knowledge, asking questions, and observing the world with an open mind. I personally make it a habit to reflect on how I’ve changed over time and to seek honest feedback from those I trust. Growth requires both self-awareness and the willingness to hear hard truths. How are you challenging yourself to learn beyond what is required?
Stay Focused—We are at a pivotal moment in the semester and the year—halfway through the term and a quarter through 2025. Take a second to evaluate where you stand in relation to your goals. What progress have you made? What still needs your attention? I do this by checking in on my yearly and monthly goals, adjusting my focus to areas that need more energy. Consider setting aside time to assess your progress and recalibrate your efforts where needed.
Reserve Your Energy for What You Can Control—The world is filled with challenges, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by things outside of our control. Stay aware and advocate for what matters, but also find balance. For me, this means channeling my energy into the work I do—both professionally and personally—while ensuring that I remain grounded. I stay informed about societal issues and current events but direct my focus toward areas where I can make a meaningful impact. I make space to process my emotions about the uncontrollable, then shift my mindset to all the good that exists and the opportunities I do have to make a difference.
The Kearns Center is here to support you in building these habits and practices. Engaging with your academic coaches is critical in this process. They can provide guidance, accountability, and strategies to help you navigate challenges, refine your goals, and stay on track. We encourage you to take full advantage of these resources, as they are designed to help you grow academically and personally. Lean into the support systems available to you—your future success depends on the investments you make in yourself today.
As you navigate the remainder of this semester and year, I urge you to take ownership of your growth. Stay curious, keep learning, focus on your goals, and channel your energy wisely. Your future self will thank you for the habits and mindsets you build today.
In community,
Miguel Baique