HomePublicationsOpen Access SeriesLearning to Lead, Leading to LearnPart 2 Chapter 15: Personal, Professional Identities, Belonging, and Change: The Process of Becoming Download Chapter Book MenuLearning to Lead, Leading to Learn SectionsPart 1Part 2ChaptersPrefaceCourse Overview Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Final ClassBook Resources Contributors Playbook Download BookOpen Access PDFdoi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa11ISBN: 978-1-64317-593-5May 20263.2 MBMetrics: 1482 views | 388 downloadsBuy in PrintISBN: 978-1-64317-592-8May 2026 Sheila Carter-Tod Despite a lifetime of leadership experience, Carter-Tod still struggles with what she calls “the challenge of becoming.” As a woman of color and a first-generation college student, her sense of her personal and professional identities do not always or easily align. In this reflective chapter, she revisits several leadership moments in her life to uncover—and reclaim—the practices of situational, agency-based leadership. She also underscores the importance of feeling a sense of belonging even in places that require significant change. Related Book ResourcesIn these companion resources, Sheila Carter-Tod expands on themes from her chapter, reflecting on the ongoing process of becoming a leader.These resources invite readers to consider their own leadership journeys and the ways personal and professional identities continue to evolve over time. Leading In Line with Values, Vision, and Mission Sheila Carter-Tod reflects on leading in alignment with values, vision, and mission while navigating institutional constraints. She emphasizes inclusive environments, shared decision-making, and human-centered leadership that balances organizational limits with care for people. Why Lead? Carter-Tod reflects on her motivation for leadership, describing it as a drive to solve problems, improve systems, and address challenges that others may overlook. Reading as a Leader Carter-Tod discusses reading broadly across topics such as organizational change, inclusion, resistance, history, and human development to better understand diverse perspectives and communities. Her reflections highlight leadership as an ongoing process of curiosity, critical thinking, and aligning new knowledge with personal values and goals. Dealing with Discomfort while Learning to Lead Carter-Tod discusses the challenges of leading in unfamiliar situations and the importance of embracing discomfort as part of growth. She highlights the value of building trusted support systems, learning from both positive and negative examples, and setting aside ego to seek new knowledge. Discussion QuestionsCarter-Tod speaks to an often unspoken but we think pervasive concern among leaders, especially those of us from marginalized backgrounds or who are first-generation college-goers in our families, that we don’t truly “belong” in the academy, or we don’t have what it takes to be the kind of leader we want to be. Consider a time in your academic career when you felt as if you didn’t belong. How did you handle it? What would you say to other leaders—new or seasoned—who experience this feeling? Cite this Chapter Carter-Tod, Sheila. 2026. “Personal, Professional Identities, Belonging, and Change: The Process of Becoming.” In Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: A Collaborative Syllabus for Higher Education Leadership, edited by Linda Adler-Kassner and Chris W. Gallagher. Elon University Center for Engaged Learning. https://doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa11.15. Share:
