Duncan Kirkwood, 1LT, MPA

As an inner-city student, Duncan had to overcome wave after wave of setbacks to make it to graduation. With each cross current of challenge, Duncan learned new lessons that ultimately helped him thrive.

In this powerful, inspiring, and perception-shifting talk, Duncan shares his experience with failure and the critical lessons he learned along the way. Students today are dealing with challenges we couldn’t have imagined, and practical resilience skills are needed now more than ever. Your audience will walk away with a shift in how they view setbacks, renewed purpose, and a newfound love for their journey.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Perseverance – a complete paradigm shift in how participants see failure in their lives, that setbacks are part of the journey.
• Passion – understanding the importance of getting involved on campus.
• Purpose – understanding the urgent need to discover one’s purpose in life.
• Overcoming fear of failure – understanding that even though you are afraid or uncertain, you must be bold enough to take the first step.
• Affirmation – participants will learn a powerful positive self-affirmation and mantra.
• Empowerment – participants will learn how to take power and control in their own lives.

Duncan trained soldiers to become more resilient, and now he equips students and educators with the same practical tools. As an expert in developing grit and unleashing human potential, Duncan’s presentation will create a series of “ah-ha” moments and a steady stream of engagement among your group.

Duncan combines military-tested training on resilience with science-backed tools to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Presence – Letting go of the past and focusing on bringing your best self into this moment.
• Grit – Developing the fortitude to overcome every challenge and stick to a goal no matter how long it takes.
• Resilience – Understanding that resilience is a crucial part of mental health and excelling in your job.
• Self Discovery – Participants will learn to dis-identify from things titles and roles and that our value comes from the inside.
• Joy – Discover how each day can bring joy and build your mental health.
• Gratitude – How using a simple exercise can build appreciation and overcome negativity bias.

Unleash Your Greatness is not a one-time assembly—it’s a structured Tier 2 social-emotional and leadership intervention for Grades 9–12. This semester-long mentorship program combines evidence-aligned SEL content with experiential learning and real-time student support. Through in-person workshops, kickoff and closing events, and optional teacher training, students develop critical skills in emotional regulation, self-advocacy, goal setting, and academic ownership. The program is fully aligned with district SEL standards and can be embedded within MTSS, advisory periods, or as a targeted Tier 2 intervention for student groups needing relational support.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Articulate personal goals using visual tools like vision boards and action plans

• Demonstrate improved self-management through time management, study skills, and emotional regulation strategies

• Develop social awareness and relationship skills via structured peer engagement and reflective discussion

• Practice self-advocacy and communication across school, home, and peer settings

• Increase engagement and academic confidence through consistent mentoring, peer bonding, and incentive-based reinforcement