Management consulting junior Chelsea Young recalls a moment when, as a Leadership Program mentor at Martin Middle School, she realized how vital community is to business.

She tells a story of a young boy who, when asked what he learned that day, responded saying that he learned he did not have to “be on the streets” or “sell drugs," that he could actually do something with his life.

“You don’t realize the impact you’re having on their lives,” says Young. “To get outside of our school and go into the community and bring light to the kids coming after us is amazing to me.”

Young has been working at the middle school this year with her peers in the third year of McCombs' Leadership Program. Students study a different element of leadership during each of the four years of the program: individual, organizational, community and global. The community year encourages students to demonstrate their commitment to issues relevant to the multiple communities in which they belong. Specifically, it encourages students to connect with the Austin community in order to become better citizens, and to explore pressing community issues from local and state leaders.

“As graduates of McCombs they’re going to be looked upon, regardless if they’re in front of the room or not, for that ability to motivate and engage others and make a better society,” says Stephanie Hinojosa-Galvan, program coordinator. “We’re doing our little part with the program.”

“The community phase of the program has given me a wider eye into things and places in the community where I can be helpful,” says Young. “For us to be able to give back to the community is a joy.”

This year, students in the community phase went to Martin Middle School, where they worked with students in Business Professionals of America and taught them how to be better leaders, look for opportunities in business, and how to dress in business professional attire.

“It was really cool to mingle with these students,” says Young. “They reminded us that there are so many people that come before and after you and you can’t forget them.”

The Leadership Program also enhances what the students are already learning in their classes.

“There's the textbook leadership we learn in class, but in LP you learn how you yourself lead and you can better fit your answer to how you would do it rather than just spitting out the textbook answer,” says Colby Lowrey, supply chain management senior.

The program, specifically the community year, has taught both Young and Lowrey that anyone can be a leader.

“A leader doesn't have to be designated as a leader, but its someone that people can trust, look to, and can work with to achieve a common goal,” said Lowrey. “It’s important to learn leadership because all of us are leaders," says Young."

Regardless of if you want to be a leader or not, there is always someone watching you."The community year is a favorite of the four different concepts focused on throughout the program for Young and Lowrey. They have both seen how leadership goes beyond their majors and how it can be applied to different aspects in the world.

“With business I thought it had to be serious all the time, all work, nothing fun,” says Lowrey. “Through LP I learned that you can not only help others, but also grow yourself in the process, while at the same time being serious and responsible.”

The community year allows the students to learn from each other through discussions and watching each other practice their leadership skills. The community year also teaches what Young mentioned: “You have to be a follower in order to be a leader.”