Leadership Spotlight: 360 Lecture Leads
By Priya Uppal, Yoyo Hsu and Josh Hall
The 360 Lecture Lead team builds content for the EDUC 360 course, the lecture for experienced Dream Project mentors who have already completed EDUC 260. Their main goal is to build on foundational EDUC 260 topics while introducing new topics relevant to mentorship and understanding of Dream Project mission and goals. This cohort has really focused on zeroing in on different identities and social justice movements using an in-depth, intersectional approach. They’ve challenged mentors to be critical of certain paradigms and systems around education. In addition, this cohort has also taken an active role in collaborating with High School Leads by facilitating brainstorming activities during their meetings and working to provide lecture-related supplementary resources for breakout.
Meet our team
Priya Uppal
My name is Priya Uppal (left), and I am a sophomore majoring in biology and international studies. I served as a mentor for three quarters at Ida B Wells and then Global Connections, before becoming a 360 Lecture Lead. I joined Dream Project because I wanted to help students achieve their post–high school goals, including higher education, and also find a group of passionate and hard-working students on campus committed to social justice. I became a 360 Lecture Lead because I wanted to continue to cultivate my leadership skills while engaging more with social justice content.
Yoyo Hsu
My name is Yu-Cheng (Yoyo) Hsu (second from the left), and I am a sophomore studying chemistry hoping to also minor in education, learning & society. I have served as a mentor for two quarters in Dream Project at Renton High School. Back when I was a high school student, the college application process was challenging for me because I did not have the resources needed. Now, I want to help students in need achieve higher education. With the help of Dream Project, I learned about social justice issues involved in education and learned how to be a good mentor to peers, myself included. I decided to carry forward my knowledge by becoming a 360 Lecture Lead. As a leader, I want to make an impact on our community, engaging in social justice issues in education, and to develop my communication and leadership skills.
Josh Hall
My name is Josh Hall (second from the right), and I am the Lecture Lead Facilitator for 360. I am an informatics major and education, learning & society minor and a previous High School Lead for Rainier Beach High School. My main role is to support the 360 Lecture Leads in curriculum development and leadership development. In addition, I’ve also been working with Nicole Guenther, the Assistant Director of Curriculum and Student Services; Julie Eng, the 260 Lecture Lead Facilitator; and the High School Lead Managers in making lecture and breakout more integrated and collaborative. I’ve also been working with the lecture team in developing new Lecture Lead recruiting strategies. Supporting these bright, dedicated Lecture Leads throughout these two quarters and watching them grow has been very fulfilling for me. I’ve gained so much from learning about their experiences and passions. Some of the most valuable skills I’ve gained through this role are the meaning of providing equitable support, and also knowing when to take a step back.
