I understand that the article this site linked to in NOT about students.  If it were, I might be able to concede that these professors were, in some way "leaders" - though that is not the calling of the academic.  In the ad, these adorn themselves with the title of "leader".  I guess, had I signed the ad, I'd be a Catholic leader, too.  While I'm sure that makes them feel good about themselves, its not a demonstration of leadership to assign that title to oneself.
You seem to forget that Aquinas specifically rejected a leadership role to pursue his calling to the Dominicans; to preach and teach.  Influence is, itself, not leadership, though it may be a characteristic of that.  The Very Rev. Fr. Francis managed to "influence" four additional "staffers" out of forty-six academic staff under his "leadership" to sign. That's leadership?