Meet an undergraduate student driving social change through leadership

Desir’ee (Desi) Neal didn’t have to look far when she was deciding where to attend college. A Cleveland native, she knew Case Western Reserve University had a strong academic reputation. But what truly drew her in was the potential leadership opportunities at CWRU.

Admitted as part of the Presidents Leadership Development Program (PLDP) in fall 2022, Neal is now a fourth-year student majoring in history and education with a minor in social justice.

“I wanted a space where I could not just learn, but actively grow as a leader, connect with others who share that drive, and make a meaningful impact on my community and PLDP felt like the perfect place to do that,” she said.

The program has allowed her to expand her understanding of what it means to be a leader and shaped her perspective on the qualities she hopes to embody. It also connected her with others who had a shared passion for social change at CWRU and beyond.

On campus, Neal previously served as president of Footlighters, a student-run musical theater group, advocating for inclusive casting and show selection. She’s now president of the African American Society (AfroAm), the longest standing Black organization at CWRU. In this role, Neal helped organize AfroAm’s annual Ebony Ball, which celebrates Black culture and legacy, and led a care package giveaway to welcome new students to CWRU and build community.

These opportunities gave her powerful insights.

“My most valuable lesson from these experiences is that social change doesn’t happen overnight,” Neal said. “It often begins with one person laying the foundation, but it takes a community to carry the momentum forward. Leading these organizations showed me the importance of patience, persistence, and teamwork in making lasting change, especially when fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Learn more about Neal.

Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

1. What is your fondest memory from PLDP? 

My fondest memory from the program was our first-year social change project with EDWINS, a nonprofit Leadership & Restaurant Institute that provides formerly incarcerated adults with free culinary, hospitality, and life skills training to support successful reentry. During my freshman year, our group collaborated on a daycare project that allowed EDWINS’ culinary students to send their children to a safe space while attending the institute. Our team painted and prepared the house, and being able to contribute to a project that supported the community was an incredibly rewarding experience. 

2. What interested you in studying history and education? 

I have always had a passion for learning, but it wasn’t until I witnessed educational injustice firsthand that I became passionate about pursuing education. Growing up in the CMSD district, I
saw how limited resources affected students like me, and I realized that the history taught in schools often overlooked or marginalized the experiences of minority communities. Not learning about my own history was a difficult experience, and it made me determined to change that for future students. I want to teach history and education so I can inspire students to see the value in their own stories and the power of learning about the past. 

3. What do you hope your leadership will mean for future CWRU students? 

I hope my leadership shows that everyone has the potential to be a leader. Leadership isn’t just about holding a title—taking action toward social change can come from any role. Even before I held formal positions, being an active member of my community was powerful, and my passion for these organizations inspired me to do more. I want students to understand that their leadership, whether big or small, has the power to inspire and influence others to create meaningful change.

4. What do you hope to accomplish in your future career? 

In my future, I hope to use my experiences in education, both as a student and teacher, to help promote educational equality through policy change. I want to work on creating policies that ensure all students have access to the resources, support, and culturally relevant curriculum they need to succeed. Ultimately, I hope to inspire other educators and policymakers to prioritize equity, so that every student regardless of their background has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.