I am so thankful and fortunate to be a member of the Center for Leadership team! As I reflect on my first three months at Elon, I can’t help but brag about how amazing it is to be here. The CFL’s resources, staff, student leaders, programs, workshops, and the physical space are beyond my imagination. The innovation andcreativity that is fostered here is unparalleled!
After telling a student at my former institution about the amazing opportunities offered by the Center for Leadership, she said, “wow…it sounds like you work at Disney World.” And to me, Elon and the CFL is very much like Disney World. As cliché as it sounds, I do believe that the CFL is a magical place. Like Disney, the CFL effectively demonstrates that the actions of a leader, multiplied by the actions of many, can shape and focus a culture and an organization.
As a professional, I have always found joy and excitement in helping others. I draw such inspiration and excitement from students who demonstrate great potential. Being able to help, guide, mentor, educate, and inform those around me is beyond rewarding. I have discovered through my experiences that my passion is helping others find their passions. I love seeing a student light up when talking about their interests, or engaging in activities that are personal and meaningful. Every day I observe students who are passionate about leadership. For me, working at the Center for Leadership is akin to working at the happiest place on Earth. And to top it off, I get to teach a group of students this Spring about creativity and innovation from the Disney perspective, culminating in a trip to Disney World.
As Walt Disney said, “you can create, design, and build the most wonderful place on Earth…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” I am thankful that I am supported by people dedicated to helping shape student’s leadership dreams into a reality.
