Leadership Accelerator | Makhoul Leadership Fellows

Professor Dolly Chugh sits on a windowsill and, with a smile on her face, attentively listens to a student, who is out of frame.

Leadership Accelerator

Makhoul Leadership Fellows

Leadership isn’t learned from the sidelines. It’s built in the Hot Seat.

A feminine-presenting person with fair skin and curly, shoulder-length hair sits with her arms crossed across from a masculine-presenting person with medium-tan skin and dark hair, as he olds a piece of paper in his hands and gestures while talking. A screen behind these two reads, "Welcome to the hot seat."

Role-Play Scenarios with Professional Actors

Through high-stakes role-plays with professional actors, students experience the adrenaline of making tough decisions.

A feminine-presenting person with light skin and hair smiles intently at a partner whose back is to the camera.

Peer Coaching

Students coach each other through difficult conversations—asking probing questions, giving real-time feedback, and building confidence together.

A group of seven students stands in a circle clapping and laughing after a game of rock paper scissors.

Small Cohort

In a small, tight-knit cohort, everyone has a voice. Together, students support, challenge, and learn from one another.

A group of twelve students addresses a feminine-presenting actor with dark hair and skin seated in the middle of the room.

Live Group Simulations

In a group setting, students navigate challenging conversations with professional actors who respond in real time.

Five students sit in a row writing out responses on pieces of paper that sit on their laps.

Extensive Reflection

Through regular reflection, students connect what happens in the room to how they lead outside of it.

Sample Course Themes

Defining Leadership For Us

Self-Awareness and Authenticity

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Group Decision-Making

Influence

Perspective-Taking

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas