TRHLP Student Spotlight: Cole Skabo’s Journey to Leadership

The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) at Dickinson State University (DSU) is comprised of 80 hardworking students who juggle full academic schedules, extracurriculars, and volunteer in the community. Each of the TRHLP students entered the program with a personal motivation for becoming a leader in their community. After a glowing review of the program from his older brother, Cole Skabo entered the TRHLP with the desire to grow as a leader in his hometown.

Cole Skabo is currently a junior at DSU, majoring in exercise science. Skabo competes for the DSU Track & Field team and is a resident assistant in the campus dorms. Off campus, Skabo volunteers with the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce during their Harvest Festival event and assists Legacy Square in preparing the venue for public events. His favorite event to volunteer at as a TRHLP member is Yuletyme, where Skabo gets to have conversations with the donors who help ensure the program’s lasting success.

It is through the support and generosity of the DSU HF donors that students like Skabo get to experience the level community engagement and networking unique to the TRHLP. Through the program’s courses and volunteer efforts, students can experiment with various leadership skills and discover their strengths. “I only thought I could lead by action but the past two years I have learned that I can speak up and take control even if I still have some nerves,” said Skabo.

When Skabo is not attending class, competing, or volunteering he can be found playing video games with friends or listening to classic country music. With his interest in exercise science and an eagerness to coach others, Skabo plans to earn a master’s in athletic training next and use his experience and education to work in the Dickinson area as an athletic trainer.

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Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer