CDAE major Elijah Ghia has spent the afternoon crafting a professional on-site interview space at UVM for his upcoming interview with Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark (who graduated from UVM in 1997). With support from staff members at the Consumer Assistance Program – a partnership between the University and the Attorney General’s Office - Elijah sourced plants, lamps, a small table, and chairs to furnish a conference room. On the other side of the conference room, Elijah and his friend had expertly set up three cameras, soft box lighting kits, and various recording devices. The determination of the students transformed a once dingy conference room to an atmosphere so professional and welcoming that Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark instantly praised the efforts made by the undergraduate students.

“I’ve been collecting all of this equipment since last Thursday.” Elijah responded with a smile, and quickly detailed the process of working with the UVM library to secure the recording equipment. Elijah offered the Attorney General a lapel microphone and the two sat down to begin answering the list of questions Elijah had prepared on a notepad. The questions ranged from how to lead a team, lessons learned from working in her family’s grocery store, and important traits for leaders.

“Knowing your strengths as a leader and leaning into them is important.” responded General Clark to Elijah’s question on leadership skills.

The interview was a required assignment for CDAE 2400 Leadership in Practice, a course taught by Professor Thomas DeSisto, a Senior Lecturer in Community Development and Applied Economics. The course focuses on the study of leadership theory and how it informs the practice of leadership. As part of a final project, students in the course select members of their community or family to interview about leadership. DeSisto explains that in the past, interviewees range from grandparents to coaches to local politicians.

“I begin the class with a survey of leadership experience.” DeSisto said. “Students think that if they haven’t been the leader of a club or captain of a sports team, then they don’t see themselves as leaders.” DeSisto explains that by the end of the course students will have a broader understanding of what it means to be in a leadership role – whether it’s in a professional organization or on a hike with friends.

In the conference room, Elijah looks down at the questions in his notebook and announces he has no more questions. He graciously thanks the Attorney General for her time and the cameras and recorders are then shut off. Handing back the lapel microphone, General Clark remarks that it was impressive that Elijah let himself be curious and asked follow-up questions rather than just following his list of questions in his notebook.

The recorded interview will be made available to the other students in the CDAE 2400 Leadership in Practice course.