Dar Mayweather Takes the TEDx Stage
Photo: Krysti Adams/UNCW
The Watson College of Education is pleased to spotlight Dar Mayweather of the Department of Educational Leadership and share his recent TEDx Talk at NC State. In his inspiring message, Mayweather challenges students — and all of us — to move beyond the pressure to “do it all” and instead focus on the one thing that aligns with our vision, gifts, purpose and beliefs.
“Standing on the TEDx stage was a full-circle moment for me because the message I shared is deeply connected to the work I do with students every day at UNCW,” Mayweather said. “In a little over 10 minutes, I shared a message that I have been developing over the last 10 years. In January 2017, I started teaching leadership in the classroom as a PhD student. As a first-generation college student, I did not have clarity about where college was taking me; I know what it feels like to have ambition without a map or a plan.”
“That is why I want students to understand that you only need one thing to be successful: one vision, gift, vehicle, purpose, or belief can create an opportunity of a lifetime,” he continued. “I hope this talk helps every student identify their one thing, believe in it, and find the courage to build a life they love around it.”
Mayweather joined the UNCW faculty in January 2020. He teaches full-time in the Leadership Studies minor, a multidisciplinary program that helps students across campus develop their leadership potential. He empowers students to identify and articulate their strengths to employers and graduate programs, with a 100% success rate in securing post-graduation placements.
A first-generation college student, Mayweather began his academic journey with significant setbacks. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in education, with a focus on college student affairs leadership, from Grand Valley State University. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
Mayweather has more than 15 years of experience developing co-curricular programs and leadership training in higher education. A sought-after keynote speaker and award-winning educator, he has received numerous honors for his work, including the King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship from the state of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University’s Student Engagement and Success Award, and ACPA’s Pan African Network Sawubona and Emerging Professional Award.
About TEDxNCState
TEDxNCState is an independently organized event run by students at North Carolina State University. The event connects the campus and the wider Raleigh community through live speakers, shared ideas and recorded talks focused on innovation, personal growth and local perspectives.
About the Leadership Studies Minor
UNCW’s minor in Leadership Studies is a multidisciplinary program open to undergraduate students in all majors. Through classroom participation and collaborative projects, students experience the challenges and consequences of leading while developing skills they can apply to careers in any field.
New classes begin each semester. For more information, visit the Leadership Studies webpage.
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