Singer-Songwriter Enslow Inspires Shenandoah Students During Leadership Lab

Shenandoah University Leadership Academy hosted a Leadership Lab with visiting singer-songwriter Enslow on Oct. 1. 

Native to Baltimore, Maryland, Enslow takes inspiration from artists such as Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, and Sabrina Carpenter. As a performer, she enjoys transforming 70s disco genres into modern pop music. As a multi-disciplinary artist, she also translates her brand and identity as a performer through eye-catching costumes, custom made by Enslow herself.  

Enslow is a former student of Shenandoah University. She recounted one of her favorite memories while being an SU student, which included being involved in the student group Playwrights. The club allowed students to write and direct shows for their peers to participate in. Similar opportunities at Shenandoah allowed her to collaborate, and have a back-and-forth exchange of talents with creative, like-minded people. She highlighted an aspect of the Shenandoah campus and community, saying “There is no other campus culture and community like there is here.” Enslow’s time at Shenandoah gave her a community and the building blocks to learn, all of which she still takes into her career now.

The Leadership Lab was an evening spent covering advice and information on topics related to  brand identity, marketing yourself, being a CEO, having a support system and burnout, ending in an interactive activity that asked attendees to generate a personal mission statement in regard to their passion/identity. 

A highlight of the event for many students was the interactive mission statement activity. Students shared mission statements about their creative outlets and intentions. Mission statements were shared by students covering a variety of passions, including music, dance and photography. 

The event explored Enslow’s career in the music industry, how she has built her career, and how students can better themselves as a leader and creator.

Throughout the lab, Enslow emphasized the importance of building up your own personal brand support system. “I would love for students to feel empowered, to explore any creative endeavor, and know that anything is possible,” Enslow said.” If you think about the business part of being a creative, it will set you up for a more sustainable career.” 

This was echoed through the perspective of first-year student Molly Ricks. “The biggest thing I learned from the event was that no matter what profession you choose, you need to stand firm in who you are and how that applies to your career,” Ricks said. “I already kind of apply these by keeping small habits that remind me of who I am and who I’d like to be.”

Enslow shared what a week in her life looks like. An average week includes daily work, voice lessons, late-night studio evenings, traveling to gigs, performance preparation, and communication efforts. The artist emphasized the importance of putting yourself out there and professionalism, while also taking care of yourself. “Being professional doesn’t mean saying yes to everything, though you never know what opportunity will lead to the next, so it’s important to find a balance,” said Enslow, who also emphasized the importance of being authentically you.

“There’s often pressure from the outside world to do something or look a certain way, but the best thing is to be yourself and do the things you like, otherwise it won’t sit right and you have to be 100% in the things you’re doing,” Enslow continued.

“As someone who is a triple major at Shenandoah, it was very enlightening to see how to exert my work to influence others. I sometimes get really stressed with the amount of work on my plate, but this lab really showed me that I am able to complete my work and care for myself and others at the same time.” shared senior Alison Griffith.

In addition to speaking at the Leadership Lab, Enslow provided the Shenandoah community with an electrifying, engaging performance – featuring pop covers and original music – on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Homecoming Kickoff. 

Ultimately, Enslow’s return to Shenandoah’s Campus was a memorable experience that left many inspired, entertained, and uplifted.