“Leadership, as I have experienced as the Head Programming Coordinator for Science Rendezvous, involves seeding an idea in a group of people and giving others space to help grow that idea,” says Sari Glow, a microbiology major whose ideal superpower is being able to transfer information from textbooks into her brain via diffusion. She is also an Undergraduate Student Recipient of the 2020 Emerging Leaders Award at the University of Manitoba. 

This award recognizes outstanding student leaders who have made significant contributions to the University of Manitoba and its community. Recipients are students who support the University’s mission through social, cultural or economic contributions on or off campus, encourages cross-cultural understanding, and demonstrates leadership and initiative. 

Serving as the Head Programming Coordinator for two years, Glow leads a team of ten individuals over the course of 8 months, collaborates with various faculties and community members, and liaises between public and volunteers. Essential to her leadership is the ability to direct as well as the ability to listen to direction and adapt her approach based on feedback from others. Collaboration and mentorship, she says, are also important aspects of leadership. 

A quote that inspires Glow is one by Toni Morrison: “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” As such, her personal philosophy is “to lead by example with patience, kindness and open-mindedness, and to support and empower others as they develop into leaders.”

Science Rendezvous is made possible by the efforts of 6000 student volunteers. We are proud to have such an amazing volunteer in Sari Glow and are delighted to hear of her well-deserved award–congratulations, Sari! 

Meet more of our amazing volunteers at next year’s Science Rendezvous event on May 8, 2021!