Marshal Lawrence Mencel, president of the Society of Leadership and Success, acquaints himself with campus Oct. 19 on the escalators in Moody. Mencel is a junior at Travis Early College High School where he will also graduate with an associate degree in liberal arts. Mencel is the North Korean delegate in the academic competition Model United Nations. Photo by Zachary-Taylor Wright
Travis student establishes a peer network via society contacts.
By Estefania Flores
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Marshal Lawrence Mencel, 17, is the president of the Society of Leadership and Success and the youngest student to hold this position.
“I have about 12 credit hours here at SAC, but I am part of the high school on campus, Travis Early College High School,” he said. “Being that I am a dual credit student, I feel as if the society has really introduced me to the college environment as well as lifestyle.
“The society has allowed me to stop any procrastination and move forward on all projects quicker.”
This national organization exists to “help students learn about themselves, their goals and their passions,” adviser Mark Bigelow, interim director of student life, said.
It began in 2013 and has grown to 500 chapters nationwide.
Students get invited to join based on their academic performance.
Membership also helped him gain friends.
“While most of the officers have left the society, I still see them around at times and am able to receive references from them when needed,” he said.
This is no accident. The Society of Leadership focuses on networking.
“The organization puts students into groups and works on group activities with the goal of building stronger networking connections,” Mencel said. “That way students work together with each other to form their goals.”
The society hosts online conferences with famous TV broadcasters, including Andy Cohen, American talk show and radio host, author and producer.
“In this organization, I want students to push themselves to be the best version of themselves,” Bigelow said. “Although scoring high grades in their courses is a fantastic goal, I want them to push harder. I want them to push themselves to go into medical school, for instance.”
The society has helped Mencel push himself toward that goal.
Once he completes his required college hours, Mencel plans to apply to medical school.
“My definite choices would be the top northeastern schools, such as New York University, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rochester, all of which will allow me to study business as well,” he said.
“I will definitely include in my résumé the fact that I am a member of the society. I’m sure it’s a great advantage.”
