Yulia Tolstikov-Mast, PhD, teaching faculty in the Graduate School of Leadership and Change, was invited by Purdue University to lead a professional development workshop for a large group of Global Student Ambassadors. Titled “Global Leadership in Action: When to Lead, When to Follow,” the workshop drew on Tolstikov-Mast’s expertise as a globally recognized scholar and award-winning educator in global leadership and followership.
Purdue’s Global Student Ambassadors serve as peer leaders who support international students’ transition, engagement, and sense of belonging while representing the university across cultures, programs, and campus initiatives. To support their development in these complex intercultural roles, Tolstikov-Mast used discussion, real-world scenarios, and reflective practice to help students navigate uncertainty, shared power, and cultural complexity.
The workshop was well received and helped ambassadors strengthen their ability to assess context, build trust across differences, and shift intentionally between leading and following roles. Overall, the session increased their effectiveness as global leaders and followers representing Purdue in culturally diverse and global environments.
To read more about the Global Ambassador’s Program, click here.
