CLA graduates find purpose in leadership, embark on new journeys

Senior Ian McGuckin and his peers in the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy completed a chapter in their lives on April 24. 

McGuckin and the CLA’s Winter 2025 cohort — ready to take the next steps in their leadership journeys — celebrated their graduation from the program in a ceremony at the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. 

For McGuckin, his next steps begin shortly after the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. He departs next week for Southeast Asia, where he will spend the next three months with the nonprofit Partners Relief and Development , teaching English as a second language to students in Thailand.

He said his time with the Cook Leadership Academy provided opportunities for self-reflection, especially toward his purpose as a leader. 

“It really opened my eyes to the help that people can provide for others around the world, either in humanitarian missions or development missions through education,” McGuckin said. “It sparked my passion for doing that because I've always wanted to give back as a way of gratitude for the life that I've been able to lead. So this feels like a calling for me.”

Since 2004, the CLA has nurtured and developed attributes centered around leadership, public service and personal growth in its student fellows. CLA Program Manager Christine Mutch said this year’s student fellows explored a multitude of pathways to shape their leadership style and discover their values.

“These are very motivated students who desire to grow in their leadership capacity and effectiveness, who want to help us fulfill our mission of developing ethical and effective leaders for the 21st century,” Mutch said.

Chavala Ymker, a 2021 graduate of the Cook Leadership Academy, shared their experiences with this year’s cohort, saying the CLA instilled a great sense of confidence in them. 

“Look at the leaders sitting all around you, and think about the things that you admire in them,” Ymker said. “Remember that they're looking back at you, thinking the same thing. 

“The Cook Leadership Academy taught me that what I thought were my weaknesses could actually be my strengths, and when I graduated, I felt confident to bring my skills to the next school."

McGuckin echoed Ymker’s comments, saying his time in the Cook Leadership Academy gave him a clear direction for his life.

“You need to find your route where you want to become a leader, where your heart and passions lead you and the places where your skills are applicable,” McGuckin said. “That is what was most beneficial to me.”

The Cook Leadership Academy’s 2024-2025 cohort includes: Lead fellows Abigail Austin, Aseel Ayesh, Alaysha Cannon, Isa Grunwaldt, Hannah Hosfelt, Anna Obi, Eric Satterlee, Georgia Skarzynski, Julia Smolinski and Emily Voisinet; Fellows Mariam Abdel-Moemen, Minna Abdel-Moemen, Emmanuel Addo, Jackie Adema, Tori Airo, Owen Appel, Lucero Arizaga Jimenez, Damon Arnold, Kyle Belian, Jackie Belkin, Shaun Boyland, Collin Christ, Jake Clarey, Lauryn Davis, Daniela De Andrade, Rylie Dietz, Jacklyn Driesenga, April Duran, Matt Engler, Elijah Fosu, Aly Furstenau, Lajla Hadzimujic, Maggie Hallead, CK Hamilton, Yash Hazari, Melanie Hernandez, Nancy Hoogwerf, Tamara Jones, Katie Karmanos, Lauren King, Sydney Lancaster, Grace Loftus, Maisha Marriott, Alex Martinez, Lalro Mawii, Evan McCarthy, Ian McGuckin, Lexie Medford, Pragya Mehla, Anees Mohammad, Matthew Moraw, Briannna Mucciante, Austin Nielsen, Lily Nykamp, Albert Okwei, Viola Pagnani, Jackelyn Palmas, Alec Palumbo, Lola Robar, Naomi Sang,