Observe without judging.
These three words have left a lasting impact on senior Mariana Dias Spotorno da Silva, a student in this semester’s College of Education and Health Professions Dean’s Seminar, Leadership in Coaching: Lessons from Lincoln to Lasso.
“It reminds me that good leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about understanding and valuing others, which is what creates real connection and impact,” da Silva said.
“Observe without judging” is one of many leadership lessons students have received while enrolled in this semester’s seminar. Throughout the course, students studied leadership philosophies and teachings through the writings of highly accomplished leaders and college sports coaches.
Instructors Ro Di Brezzo and Valorie Kondos Field taught the seminar together this semester. The two used their extensive experience to inspire students to develop their own authentic and thoughtful leadership styles.
Di Brezzo returned to the classroom this year as a University Professor emeritus following a 37-year career as a faculty member in the College of Education and Health Professions’ Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation.
“The most rewarding part of teaching this semester is being reminded just how talented and ‘fun’ our students are,” Di Brezzo said. “They invited us to challenge them to think differently and then ran with the challenge.”
Sophomore Brett Potts enrolled in the course on a whim, needing just one more credit hour to qualify for a scholarship. He said it quickly became his favorite at the U of A and featured two of his new favorite instructors.
Potts was specifically inspired by Kondos Field’s story of going from a coach with no experience to a seven-time NCAA champion at the helm of the UCLA Bruins gymnastics program.
“Her story is important for the class because many people think they need to know everything when they take on a leadership role,” Potts said. “She’s a great example of how you can succeed even without knowing everything, as long as you work hard and push yourself.”
While at UCLA, Kondos Field was named National Coach of the Year four times and inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. Throughout the semester, she enjoyed watching students embrace a wide variety of transformational leadership styles and philosophies.
“Some of the biggest takeaways from the class for the students is that many characteristics that have been labeled ‘soft skills’ such as listening and vulnerability are some of the strongest characteristics of proven impactful leaders,” Kondos Field said.
The Dean’s Seminar was created as part of the College of Education and Health Professions’ WE CARE strategic plan. Each semester, the seminar focuses on a different complex societal challenge at the intersection of education and health.
With just months until graduation, da Silva enrolled in Leadership in Coaching with the goal of sharpening her leadership skills before starting her career. Eight weeks later, she feels she has accomplished that goal.
“Learning how to lead effectively is something I believe will be really important for my future, and the discussions we’ve had in class have already given me tools and insights I can use in those situations,” she said.
