By Terrance Gilbert/reporter

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mary Saunders talked to TR students about developing leadership skills Sept. 21 on TR Campus.

As she began the Leadership eXperience Summit, Sanders asked two students to join her on stage and tell the audience where they planned to be in five years. She gave each a leadership book with a cash reward inside.

“The first lesson of leadership is you have to stand up and speak up,” she said. “You have to be seen and heard.”

Sanders, executive director of the Texas Woman’s University Leadership Institute, described herself as an introvert.

“In the sixth grade, my teacher, Ms. Davis, told me, ‘Sweetie, you are black and female in the United States of America. Get a grip,’” she said. “She pushed me out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to go into public speaking. It changed my life tremendously.”

Sanders told the students to run their lives like corporations.

“In your life, you should have a board of directors,” she said. “Take a moment and think about who is influential and who has your best interest at heart.”

TR student development coordinator Stevie Blakely said leaders like Sanders set great examples for students.

“Students need to have a sense of their ability to change things,” she said. “They have the resources and opportunities to learn how to change things. By bringing in leaders with proven track records through this program, we can bring out full leadership potential among our students.”