DePauw’s Sanger leadership Initiative hosted its first annual Leadership Crisis Challenge in February 2026.

By Rebecca Alexander, Director of the Sanger Leadership Initiative

DePauw’s Sanger leadership Initiative hosted its first annual Leadership Crisis Challenge in February 2026. Working with partners from Ross Business School’s Sanger Leadership Center in Michigan and an amazing group of DePauw alumni, we hosted a two-day simulation for four intrepid student teams. The teams – made up of students from a wide array of disciplines, interests, class years, and backgrounds – worked as simulated corporate leadership teams to address and respond to an unfolding crisis. A group of student volunteers made sure the teams’ social media feeds faced a steady onslaught of commentary as the teams sought to make sense of incomplete information, respond to shifting reports of what was happening, make ethical and financial decisions, and draw out and bring together their unique strengths.

On Saturday morning, the teams were called to meet with their boards, made up of DePauw alumni with ample business crisis leadership experience. They challenged the teams in character and then sat down with them after to debrief and talk about what really matters when you are responding to a crisis. A communications coach (another wonderful alum!) observed and consulted with the students and a reporter from the Banner Graphic who, with Sanger Leadership Coordinator Jeremy Lemus, peppered the students with questions during the closing press conference exercise, rounded out the challenge.

Alumni volunteers and students who responded to feedback forms said they would enthusiastically recommend the crisis challenge to others and described it as a unique and important experience. One alum wrote “I would do this again in a heartbeat and encourage others to jump in as well,” adding that the students are evidence that “all is well – so well!” at DePauw. Students who shared their one-word takeaways listed: teamwork, professionalism, resourcefulness, integrity, adaptability, collaboration, learning, and think before you act. The crisis challenge is an incredible opportunity for students to deploy skills forged in the liberal arts and across our three schools, and we are excited to make this an annual event.

Students work in teams on Friday night to address the unfolding crisis

Students work in teams on Friday night to address the unfolding crisis

Students sit down board members (alumni), their communications coach (alumnus), faculty, and a reporter (Banner Graphic) to discuss crisis management strategy.

Student teams give a press conference where they are peppered with questions by reporters

Students celebrate after the crisis challenge.