Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.

07/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2026 05:47

Leading Like Jesus: Inside PBA’s Lead Program

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At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), leadership development is taking on a deeper purpose through the PBA Lead program, a three-course academic program focused on equipping students to lead with both skill and spiritual maturity through hands-on leadership roles, mentorship, and intentional spiritual formation.

Students are encouraged to grow not only in their abilities, but also in their character, learning what it truly means to lead through service and humility.

This fall, the program will kick off with its annual PBA Lead Conference, scheduled for August 28 and 29. This two-day event is designed for both incoming freshmen and returning students and will focus on leadership alongside deep spiritual formation. The conference features guest speakers, breakout sessions on leadership development, as well as opportunities for students to build community and reflect on how faith shapes their leadership. Additionally, the conference facilitates a practical networking space for students.

"Our program exists to develop spiritually formed leaders who lead differently," Laura Jackson, coordinator at PBA's Center for Global Leadership, explains. "We create environments that cultivate practical leadership skills while nurturing deep spiritual transformation."

Nearly 500 students are currently involved in the PBA Lead program, each serving in leadership roles on or off campus. Students in the program take on positions such as resident assistants, club leaders, mission trip co-leaders, student teachers, and church leaders. Positions such as these challenge students to apply essential leadership skills in real-world settings.

Students in PBA Lead are able to participate in regular leadership workshops, small group discussions, and mentorship opportunities designed to help them reflect on their experiences.

A Student's Transformation

For sophomore Jose Chattman, a ministry leadership major in the 3+2 Master of Divinity program, his introduction to PBA Lead was initially practical.

"I originally heard about this program through my guidance counselor as a source of scholarship money," Chattman said. Incoming freshmen who apply before the deadline are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship, renewable each academic year of the four-year program. However, throughout his time in the program, Chattman's perspective shifted from merely a scholarship opportunity to something deeper.

"PBA Lead is a program where you learn to incorporate the Christian walk into leadership," he said. "You learn different styles of leadership and how to implement your faith into how you lead."

Chattman describes the program as greatly transformational, particularly in shaping his understanding of servant leadership.

"I learned how to lead like Jesus," he said. "It has helped me grow in my leadership ability and pursue becoming the leader God wants me to be."

Of all these lessons, Chattman shares that the most significant has been the strong emphasis on humility.

"Before PBA Lead, I thought leadership was dangerous because of the [potential for] misuse of power," he said. "But the program shows that there is power in humility, in serving and caring for others."

Leading Beyond the Classroom

The program has also played a role in restoring his confidence after a challenging internship prior to enrolling at PBA. After struggling to meet certain expectations in a leadership role, he stepped away from leadership altogether, unsure if he had what it takes to lead.

"I didn't want to be part of leadership after I failed," he said.

Through taking part in the PBA Lead program, however, he began to rebuild that confidence by learning what it means to lead through humility and service.

Alongside leadership training, PBA Lead fosters strong relationships among students through co-curricular events and gatherings. Participants are intentionally placed in a community with peers, allowing them to grow and learn from each other.

"I've built meaningful friendships through the program," he said. "Those relationships have helped shape me as a leader."

As PBA Lead continues to grow, its impact is seen not just in the number of students involved, but in the transformation taking place within them. For students like Chattman, leadership is no longer something to fear or avoid, but an opportunity to serve with humility and purpose.

To learn more about the PBA Lead program, visit https://www.pba.edu/academics/schools/centers-of-excellence/global-leadership/pba-lead/.

Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on July 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 17, 2026 at 11:47 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]