Climbing to campus leadership
Cecilia Sharp likes being 20 feet off the ground or more whenever possible. Chalk dust drifts from her palm like smoke as she reaches to the next grip, hoisting herself farther and farther along the mountainside. She turns to look down at the people who follow her lead, watching her every move and relying on her to reach the summit.
For Cecilia Sharp ’27, leadership extends far beyond the classroom. As a junior majoring in environmental geology, she has found numerous hands-on ways to get involved on campus. Her field-based coursework and her major’s focus on hydrology and geomorphology naturally fuel her commitment to the outdoors, and her interest stems from curiosity of how the world works. Whether she’s managing the Outdoor Engagement Center, leading a backpacking trip, or playing the drums in an on-campus band, Sharp takes on roles that mix grit with passion.
The Outdoor Engagement Center at UD gives students opportunities to participate in wilderness-based recreational activities and programs, fostering ways to engage in the outdoors while also building friendships.
“I knew immediately that I was not built to sit at a desk. I prefer on-the-ground, hands-on management styles,” Sharp said. “If there is an issue, I want to see it and I want to solve it.”
Her outdoor recreation journey began early in her first year when someone encouraged her to apply for a student outdoor leader position. One climbing trip was all it took to confirm she belonged there.
“I kind of took it headfirst, and I loved it. I really, really loved it,” Sharp said. “The first climb team trip is where I was like, oh yes, this is what I want to do.”
From there, Sharp quickly expanded her involvement. She volunteered to support new programs like RECkids Climb and eventually stepped into a leadership role as an Outdoor Engagement Center supervisor, managing hiring, marketing, budgeting and day-to-day operations. She also serves as the climb team gear and trip coordinator, organizing routes and distances for hikes, coordinating equipment and designing trip groups based on skill and experience.
“It’s a lot more work than I thought it was. But I signed up for it, and I do not regret for a single second doing any of it. I love it so much. And I do have an incredible support system.”
Her dedication and impact earned her the Emerging Leader Award, recognizing her as a standout student leader and mentor. The reward is given to one individual per year that embodies early signs of notably high level leadership in their work. Nominated by her manager at the RecPlex, she continually showcased persistence and drive in her day-to-day work.
Still, Sharp’s life isn’t all climbing ropes and trail maps. As a Dayton native and commuter student, she initially connected to campus through music — joining the Pride of Dayton Marching Band and Flyer Pep Band. Today, music remains an important part of her life as she is the drummer for an on-campus alternative rock band, Leave No Trace.
“The big thing that I've learned is that I love outdoor ed and the climb team, and I’m so dedicated to them,” Sharp said. “But having an outlet that is not related to an ulterior goal, and is something that I enjoy, is super important.” After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in environmental law enforcement or search-and-rescue, combining her love for the environment with her drive to help others.
“Outdoor education has taught me a lot about resilience and having a high tolerance for adversity,” Sharp said. “You can’t control the weather, the trail or different personalities. But you can control how you lead.”