Alumni

"I took LEAD 101 my first semester at Andrews and it definitely was something that made me love AU right off the bat. After I graduated, my interviewer for the Air Force asked me about the program and I got to describe, not only my Change Project, but how the ULead Program helped me understand myself better, and learn to communicate in a progressive way. I took Creative Problem Solving and I think my interviewer liked that too. A lot of applicants for my program had science and business classes, as all dental professionals should, but I was lucky enough to have classes in leadership showing proof on paper that I could be a valuable individual in more ways than one. Ultimately, I got hired and I think having that on my resume helped my family save $400,000 for dental school fees." 

 

 

-Elle Mauro

Loma Linda School of Dentistry

U.S. Air Force

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Undergraduate Leadership Program at AU has brought me to where I see opportunities everywhere around me. It has helped me to see things from different angles, think more analytically, and initiate action. I believe that the program has helped me to believe in myself and the unique skills God has given to me. I've also come to realize that it's completely fine to be passionate about being upfront, taking initiative, and being in charge, as long as it is balanced by remembering that true leaders will always follow Jesus Christ's model of servant leadership."

 

 

-Francisco da Silva

Administrative Fellow at Kettering Health Network 

International Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm proud to say that I was the first person to graduate from Andrews University with a Minor in Leadership, when the program had first started. My Change Project and involvement with the Black Student Christian Forum was so impressive that I was offered a job as a Program Assistant for the Georgetown University Minority Mentoring Program. I have successfully defended my thesis in the Department of English and it has been accepted and published. I plan to work on my PhD at the University of Maryland where I was granted full funding for 5 years. While Andrews motto is to "seek knowledge, affirm faith, and change the world," I can say without a shadow of a doubt that in the ULead Program I was taught HOW to seek, affirm, and change. The program taught me to push the perimeter, to problem solve, think critically, and include my faith in my passion."

 

 

 

-Claudia Allen

Georgetown University Minority Mentoring Program

African American Literature 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I firmly believe that the skills and knowledge I gained from my ULead classes helped better prepare me for my interview with the Central California Conference after graduation. I was able to clearly articulate my strengths and weaknesses, convey my personal mission statement and career goals, and was able to describe both my leadership style and the leadership styles I work well with. Interview aside, the practical skills I learned in the ULead Program were invaluable as they have helped me to better deal with conflict in the workplace, recognize excellent and poor leadership behaviors, and have given me insight in working with a team and delegating roles according to team member's strengths." 

 

 

-Kalissa Jardine

Central California Conference Youth Evangelism Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only took two electives from the ULead Program, but they have helped reframe the way I interface with the people around me, the way I view what it means to be a leader, and how I can help to empower others to lean into their strengths and weaknesses. The two classes I took, Fundamentals of Leadership and Creative Problem Solving, had a huge impact on me, especially in relation to the job I have now. The things I learned in class, during Leadership Practicum sessions, and even through group projects have truly aided me in solving the issues that I deal with on a regular basis. I’ve even had the chance to teach a few of the teams I work with how to function more effectively, which is super exciting! I remember having so much anxiety during the weeks leading up to graduation, because I was so worried that my college experience hadn’t been enough to prepare me for the “real world." However, I can confidently say that, out of all the classes I took at Andrews, my leadership courses have proven to be the most useful in my day-to-day life.

 

  

   

    -Stacey DePluzer

    Youth Director Assistant 

    Illinois Conference of SDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Undergraduate Leadership Program at Andrews helped me grow in several areas. The first was in personal time allocation and priority management.  I was introduced to Stephen Covey's time management grid, a tool that has been crucial for staying organized in my new work, and something that I update and use daily to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. The second was in gaining an in-depth understanding of different styles of leadership and communication styles that help me work with different people in my organization today. Finally, I used a lot of leadership tips that I learned to know how to present and market myself in my interviews. The tips on body language, resume format and the importance of background research were crucial.

 

 

   -Michael Hernandez

    IT Manager

    Central Florida Division, Florida Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I started my first job as a nurse about a month ago in a New Graduate Nurse Residency Program and, fortunately, felt very supported in my transition from college to the working world. During my orientation, we were required to participate in the EQ-i 2.0 assessment to learn more about ourselves and how we might interact in the workplace setting. The model of this assessment includes 15 competencies grouped into five composite areas of Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management. This past week I sat down with my boss to review my results. She seemed excited with some of my high scores, specifically in the subjects of Self-Actualization, Self-Awareness, Emotional Expression, Social Responsibility, and Problem Solving. I was given the opportunity to discuss the impact that ULead and my Change Project had on me and she seemed impressed with the results.

 

It is very clear to me that my high scores in these areas are because of my growth and development through the Undergraduate Leadership Program. I love how this program has influenced my life, who I am, and what I do for a living now. I wish more students at AU would consider participating in this program."

 

 

  -Michelle Kelchner

    Graduate Nurse Residency Program