This summer, nine Stamps Scholars from seven partner institutions took part in a one-of-a-kind leadership expedition through the breathtaking landscapes of Norway. On June 30, Graciela Best (Illinois ‘27), Cordelia Ellsworth (Arizona ‘28), Margaret Meehan (Air Force ‘25), Adele Miller (Illinois ‘26), Addy Mitchell (Pittsburgh ‘28), Claire Schleck (West Point ‘27), Jackson Scrimpshire (Tulane ‘27), Safiya Tarazi (Arizona ‘28), and Elodie Wardle (Wake Forest ‘26), set off to “find themselves in Norway.” The immersive, multi-day backpacking experience challenged students physically, intellectually, and emotionally, combining outdoor adventure with deep leadership development, self-reflection, and team-based growth.
Designed in partnership with outdoor educator and leadership expert Jeannette Stawski, the program brought students from across the country together to explore glaciers, fjords, and their own identities and leadership styles. The result was a journey that pushed students outside their comfort zones and into profound connection with nature, themselves, and one another.
“This trip was truly life-changing and unforgettable,” shared Tarazi (Arizona ‘28). “We shared the most meaningful experience together, and you can’t trade that for anything. You can’t find that anywhere else.”
The group trekked 7-15 miles per day across variable terrain and weather conditions. Over five days of hut-to-hut hiking, students traversed glaciers, crossed snowfields and rocky ridges, and followed reindeer tracks through remote valleys. Each day brought eight to ten hours of physical challenge, personal reflection, and team interdependence. Along the way, students faced fatigue, minor injuries, unpredictable weather, and shared living environments – which for some students was a new experience.
“The outdoors is truly powerful; it is the perfect place for connection, reflection, and growth,” said Wardle (Wake Forest ‘26).
Leadership development was woven into every element of the trip. Students took turns as “Leader of the Day,” guiding the group through route planning, time management, group care, and situational decision-making. This structure, intentionally embedded in the program’s design, invited participants to practice situational leadership, adapt their communication styles, and reflect on their leadership identity.
“I had to overcome self-doubt and develop the confidence to lead people I felt were potentially more qualified than I was,” Tarazi reflected. “I realized there is no formula for the perfect leader. I have to lead in a way that is authentic to myself.”
The structure of the program created space for emotional honesty, peer support, and meaningful group reflection. Through peer feedback, daily team meetings, and journal prompts, students developed a deeper awareness of how their words, energy, and actions impacted others.
“I learned that energy is important. Even when I wasn’t the assigned leader, how I showed up shaped the team,” Meehan (Air Force ‘25) noted.
“This trip forced me to engage in conversations I would usually avoid. I now see engagement as a leadership act, not just participation,” shared Best (Illinois ‘27).
Even moments of group tension, like managing different hiking paces or working through discomfort, became opportunities for collective problem-solving and empathy. Discussions often focused on how to bring these lessons back to campus communities.
“We held student-led discussions on leadership, the challenges we were facing, our lived experiences, our ‘why’ and values, and much, much more,” Tarazi shared.
“When my eyes were causing me pain on the glacier day, I had to keep moving, trust the group, and mentally focus on what I could control. That was resilience for me,” said Ellsworth (Arizona ’28).
Each student received a copy of Stawski’s book, The Outdoor Leader, which served as a practical framework for deepening reflection throughout the week. Students were encouraged to annotate and share takeaways with each other, with themes like “leadership is choice” shaping team conversations and accountability.
“[The Outdoor Leader] was the perfect addition to a perfect trip,” shared Mitchell (Pitt ‘28), who had previously never traveled alone. “The stories were incredibly insightful, and many of the lessons detailed were applicable to struggles I have in my own life. The Outdoor Leader helped our group work through challenges on the trip, reflect on our own lived experiences, and learn how to become more effective leaders.”
While the trip was physically demanding, it was also filled with levity, beauty, and shared joy. Students journaled over hot cocoa, swapped stories in bunkhouses, took barefoot “nature baths” in the mist, and shared waffle breaks mid-hike.
“One of my favorite memories was just standing around at this bus stop at the end of our hike playing hacky sack with everyone,” said Scrimpshire (Tulane ’27). “It was just pure, unadulterated joy.”
The group stayed in rustic but welcoming mountain cabins, immersed in Norwegian traditions of friluftsliv – an ethos of open-air living and stewardship of nature. Practicing Leave No Trace ethics, the students navigated rapidly changing weather and terrain while also learning about Norway’s approach to sustainability, public land, and communal access.
At the heart of the experience was Stawski, whose leadership style centers on empowering others to lead. Her presence provided support and structure while giving students space to explore their own voices. Midway through the trip, students participated in coaching sessions with Stawski to reflect on their development and set intentions for the second half of the journey.
“Jeannette did a wonderful job of facilitating the leadership growth of the group,” shared Best. “The physical challenge of hiking and being outside, combined with the leadership development aspect, was very well balanced.”
More than just a trip, the Norway expedition created a cohort – a tight-knit, inter-institutional community bonded by shared challenge and purpose.
“It was lovely to live and learn with such like-minded individuals who all brought something unique to the table,” said Schleck (West Point ‘27). “I was sad to say goodbye at the end of the trip!!”
“I feel like these people will be my friends for life,” Tarazi said. “We soaked everything up. I felt like I belonged.”
For these nine Scholars, the experience deepened their self-awareness, their appreciation of team dynamics, and their ability to lead with intention.
“I came into the trip unsure about my leadership style, but left feeling empowered and aligned with it. Leading isn’t about being the loudest; it’s about supporting others while staying true to yourself,” said Ellsworth.
This expedition was designed to be a dynamic outdoor classroom, where students could develop resilience, adaptability, and social competency through real-world challenge. The leadership skills developed on this trip will extend far beyond Norway.
“I can’t imagine a better note to end on,” said Meehan, who graduated in the spring and, funded by her Marshall Scholarship, will pursue a Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics in the fall. “I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose, deeper friendships, and a greater appreciation for the breadth of the Stamps network. It was more than just a trip; it was a true capstone experience for me.”
And as Tarazi shared, “I feel like there was a me pre-Norway and a new me post-Norway.”
Opportunities Ahead
For Scholars inspired by the Norway expedition, there are plenty of ways to embark on your own adventure during the 2025–2026 academic year. These experiences are designed with YOU in mind – to help you grow as a leader, connect across campuses, and stretch beyond your comfort zone. We hope you’ll explore what aligns with your interests and goals and consider registering for one (or more!) of these upcoming opportunities:
- Stamps Talk with Seiler Rivers (Mercer ’24) on applying for a Fulbright grant (July 29th at 6 PM ET on Zoom)
- The NC State sPark Conference (October 24-25)
- The Coastal Leadership Retreat (November 7-9)
- Outward Bound Backpacking in Costa Rica (December 29-January 5; deadline to register is quickly approaching for this one!)
About Jeannette Stawski
Jeannette Stawski is the Senior Assistant Director of Sustainability and Outdoor Leadership at the University of Michigan. She is a nationally respected leader in the field of outdoor education, with decades of experience guiding students in high-impact, wilderness-based leadership development. Her approach blends deep environmental knowledge with empowering, reflective leadership practices – and her energy, insight, and care make her an unforgettable expedition leader. In 2024, Jeannette published The Outdoor Leader, a powerful resource that introduces core concepts of outdoor leadership, ethical decision-making, and personal growth in nature-based settings.