BAE: Before Anyone Else; short for baby or babe; a nickname for music’s queen, Beyoncé; #BAEcation; the noise a sheep makes; Bacon And Eggs …

BAE is a worldwide phenomenon, yet no one truthfully knows where the word comes from. There are claims all over the Internet behind the meaning, providing a plethora of explanations, and even TIME wrote an article on the three little letters. Linguists can’t track down where or when BAE came into our language. Nevertheless, it’s booming now more than ever.  Pharrell and Miley Cyrus would agree (cue their attempted summer hit song).

Just like our approach to leadership, the staff in UConn’s Leadership Office proposed that BAE stand for something much more than cutesy relationship jargon or punny Instagram #hashtags:

 

Boundless.

Thinking outside of the box. Having courage to face fears. Feeling unlimited, unrestrained.

 

Authentic.

Being genuine, one’s true self. Living with integrity. One-of-a-kind.

 

Empowering.

Enabling others. Growing strength and confidence. Taking control of one’s life.

 

To us, Leadership is *Boundless, Authentic, and Empowering.

 

BAE is what you make it. And we’d like to say the same thing about your college experience. Whether or not joining an organization, participating in sports, working 3 jobs, or majoring in naps is “your thing,” the beauty of being a college student is: it is YOUR CHOICE.

 

We’ll be here if you want to discover your leadership potential, challenge yourself to do more, or learn how to work better with others. Our job is to support you.

 

–Emily Pearson, Outdoor Leadership Programs Graduate Assistant, Higher Education and Student Affairs master’s program ’17