Since its inception at the University of Oklahoma in 2002, students selected to participate in the Henderson Scholars Program have learned the program’s various mantras. Each new year brings its own challenges, along with new philosophies to embrace.
The latest mantra, “see the change, be the change,” is more than just a catch phrase; they are words to live by. Henderson Scholars are presented with real-life opportunities to promote change and progress while they navigate their academic careers at the university.
Esther McMillan, now a 22-year-old graduate student, was a Henderson Scholar during her time as a human relations major at OU. The ‘see the change, be the change’ mantra helped guide her course during her young academic career and continues to guide her as she pursues a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling in the same academic department.
The Henderson Scholars Program goes beyond the purely theoretical or conceptual to embrace hands-on learning in the field. McMillan recalls taking part in a scholars’ retreat that turned out to be very meaningful for her. During the retreat, they explored questions such as how they, as students and beyond, can “be the change.”
The Henderson Scholars Program draws its inspiration from its namesake, George Henderson, who served as only the third full-time Black faculty member on the OU Norman campus and went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career that included serving as the Sylvan N. Goldman Professor of Human Relations and longtime chair of the human relations department.
Through activities like the retreat, McMillan was able to cultivate her own skillsets within the program.
McMillan’s OU journey began following her graduation from Harding Fine Arts Academy in Oklahoma City. Her goal was to stay in state and follow the path that provided her with the most opportunities. For McMillan, OU provided a rich campus culture in which she could immerse herself.
“I saw that OU provided the most opportunity,” McMillan said. “When I toured campus, I really liked being there, and I saw myself at OU. I knew I could get involved in some way.”
While applying for the Henderson Scholars Program, she found that it spoke to her skillsets and college desires.
“For me, it meant being a part of an organization that supports leadership and getting to be around like-minded people as well who also share those same goals … being around other visionaries who see that there are changes that need to be made and want to be a part of their communities making changes,” McMillan added.
Not all forms of leadership involve holding office or attaining a certain status. For students like McMillan, the value of the Henderson Scholars Program lies in the opportunities it affords them to lead and encourage others, and in so doing, build their leadership skills and self-confidence.
“Some people don’t even see their brilliance or their capacity to lead,” McMillan said.
With the encouragement and support from her instructors and peers, McMillan’s academic experience became enriched through the program. These tools of validation continue to serve her as well as other Henderson Scholars in their lives after college.
Another goal of the Henderson Scholars Program is to help students better understand themselves. Specifically, the scholars are encouraged to “Develop an awareness of their personal identity by reflecting on the ideas and beliefs that form their values.”
McMillan considers herself fortunate to have been able to attend a class led by Henderson, in which he discussed the importance of keeping an open mind and being receptive to change. “A huge theme (of the class) was never getting to a point where you feel like you’re untouchable that you don’t hold certain biases, or things like that, but always being open to grow and have compassion and empathy for others.”
But there is always a need to continue self-education. Henderson Scholars know this well. McMillan approach is to emulate Henderson’s philosophy of being committed to learning.
“[I want to be] committed to leading with love, being empathetic for others, caring about others’ personal experiences. That is how I continue [his legacy].”
