Public Health Professor Named Presidential Leadership Scholar

Catherine Hampel, a Cal State San Marcos public health lecturer, was recently selected as one of 60 scholars who are part of the ninth class of Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS).

Each year, PLS brings a group of diverse, committed leaders who are interested in growing their skills to Washington, D.C. Throughout the program, the selected scholars collaborate and gain skills necessary to create long-lasting change. Scholars are chosen through a rigorous application and review process, based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects.

The program emphasizes four core skills: vision and communication, decision-making, persuasion, and influence and strategic partnerships. Participants explore these skills and additional lessons learned during the administrations of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson. The program's agenda includes hearing from distinguished speakers, studying methods of leadership and reviewing a variety of presidential leadership skills.

The scholars also have opportunities to develop a personal leadership project. Hampel, the vice chair of administration and finance in the UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry, is developing a project titled “Connecting Minds.” The program – which aims to address the growing concern of loneliness and trauma, and its impact on mental health in students – uses behavioral health coaches and mentors to provide support, guidance and social interventions to university student peers and alumni.

Hampel started the six-month program on Jan. 24.

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