When looking back at those who made a major impact on the lives of students, faculty, and colleagues, the former Director of Student Activities, Leah Flynn (now Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant) immediately came to mind. If you were a student on campus between 2002 and 2010, you probably knew Leah—it was impossible not to. Her commitment to ESF students and her passion for helping them to become future leaders was evident in the respect that she garnered from the entire ESF community.
Leah’s ESF journey began as part of a practicum requirement associated with her M.S. in Higher Education Administration at Syracuse University. She was scheduled to work a 10-hour weekly fall internship for the Office of Student Activities under then-Director Julie Rawls-White. However, that quickly changed when the Assistant Director position within the office was suddenly available. Leah applied and was hired just two weeks before the start of Orientation.
The rest, as they say, is history. Leah quickly became an integral part of the team, and while she thought she would only stay until she completed her degree, the one year turned into quite a few more. During her eight years at ESF, she left an indelible imprint on the culture of ESF, as well as the lives of thousands of students.
Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant
When asked about the impression that ESF students left on her, Leah mentions their desire to improve their world—and also themselves. One of her goals as a leadership mentor was to help them realize that desire, and then teach them how to share their knowledge and passion so that it spreads. She often referred to the starfish story by Loren Eiseley, and would hand out starfish cards as a tangible reminder of how one person can make a difference and start a path for others to follow.
The Tale of the Starfish
By Loren Eiseley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked,
“What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die. ” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”
A Life-Altering Question
In 2010 Leah pursued an opportunity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as Assistant Dean and Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Programs. This allowed her to pursue her growing interest in student leadership development with both undergraduate and graduate students.
Over the next 10 years, she was promoted to Associate Dean, took on the added responsibility of overseeing diversity initiatives within her department, and was on track for a position as Dean or Vice President in her next career move. However, when one of her staff members asked her “ the single most important question” of her career, the answer would alter that trajectory. That simple question was: “What brings you joy?”
That’s when she realized she needed a change, which ultimately presented itself in the form of the cancellation of a keynote speaker at a conference she was helping to organize. To fill the gap, she quickly developed a “Management 101” session to present. It became evident to Leah that she had found her niche—this is what she needed to be doing.
In May of 2020, amid the pandemic, Leah began a new role as the Talent Development Consultant and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Office of Resource Development and the Alumni Association at MIT—and s he is s till feeling the joy. While she is no longer working directly with students, her new passion is working with young professionals to develop and hone their management and leadership skills. She is especially proud of her work around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“When you feel like t he world is crumbling around you, ( you ask) ‘ Where can I add value?’ And this is it. If I can make a difference in opening people’s eyes a little bit wider, introducing them to newer perspectives, then I feel like I’ve done something and I feel part of something that has a ripple effect,” she said.
Welcoming New Beginnings
Gallant Family Photo
Throughout her career, Leah continued to further her education and earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Education in 2013, a time she calls the “Year of the Two Gowns”—one for her doctorate and one for her wedding. She married Jeff Gallant and they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Caroline, in 2016.
For all the passion that Leah shows when talking about her professional life, it pales in comparison when she mentions her family. The ever-present smile widens and you can hear the depth of love in her voice as she talks about Jeff and “Sweet Caroline.”
We wrapped up our conversation with one last question: What is your favorite memory of ESF?
After recalling countless stories of students through the years, she finally settled on one memory that has had a lasting impression. The Sunday evening after Orientation had ended and before the students arrive on campus the next day.
“When you have that feeling of satisfaction of a job well done, but also the excitement and anticipation that comes with starting a new year and knowing that you have made an impact,” she explained.