The Power of Listening

Authors

McKenna J. Clark, University of Central FloridaFollow
Ashley C. La Rosa, University of Central FloridaFollow
Arya K. Raheja, University of Central FloridaFollow
Eitan N. Tangir, University of Central FloridaFollow
Jayden I. Daniels, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3215

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Stacey Malaret

Faculty/Instructor Email

Stacey.Malaret@ucf.edu

About the Author

Hi, our group consists of McKenna, Ashley, Ari, Jayden, and Eitan. We are students at the University of Central Florida and are proud members of the LEAD Scholars Academy. The LEAD Scholars Academy is a two-year leadership development program that focuses on academic excellence, community service, and personal growth. It provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills through workshops, service-learning experiences, and collaboration with peers, faculty, and community partners. Our group is very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the service-learning program, which has allowed us to apply what we have learned about leadership and service in meaningful, real-world ways. Through our volunteer work with the 7 Cups volunteer program, we have gained valuable experience. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the LEAD Scholars Academy and our instructor, Dr. Stacey Malaret, for their guidance, mentorship, and encouragement. We would also like to thank 7 Cups for providing a platform for people like us to volunteer to help others struggling with mental health.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

For our service-learning project, our group volunteered with the 7 Cups program, which is an online platform that provides free emotional support and active listening to individuals around the world. The purpose of our project was to apply the leadership principles we learned in LEAD, such as empathy, communication, and dedication, to make a meaningful impact in the world. Through 7 Cups, we completed active listening and engaged in one-on-one conversations to support people seeking understanding and compassion. This experience taught us how powerful listening can be in creating connection and fostering emotional well-being. We also learned that leadership is not only about guiding others, but also about showing empathy, patience, and understanding.

Keywords

LEAD, mental health, communication, active listening, emotional well-being

Recommended Citation

Clark, McKenna J.; La Rosa, Ashley C.; Raheja, Arya K.; Tangir, Eitan N.; and Daniels, Jayden I., "The Power of Listening" (2025). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025. 18.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/18