My Leadership Philosophy
With my commitment to Ithaca College, I also became a member of the Leadership Scholar Program. This program encourages students to seek leadership opportunities that align with their career or extracurricular interests. It also facilitates Student Leadership Institute (SLI) workshops that help each student grow as a leader, a student, and a person.
My Spring 2025 Leadership Goals
As a participant in the Leadership Scholar Program at Ithaca College, my personal leadership goal is to develop the confidence and skills necessary to become a more vocal and proactive leader in group settings. At the beginning of my first semester, I set three distinct goals, each corresponding to a different pillar of the program.
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Involvement Goal:
My goal was to become an active member of a student theatre organization and take on a leadership role by directing a production. I worked toward this goal through my involvement with IC Second Stage. In October 2024, I pitched my vision for the musical The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, which was approved to move forward with pre-production in November. Following this approval, I assembled a production team, created a budget, and began advertising the show. Auditions were held, and rehearsals began in January. After five weeks of dedicated work, The Last Five Years opened on February 28, 2025. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout the process, the production was a resounding success, selling out both performances.
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Community Service Goal:
I set a goal to volunteer in a way that would help make Ithaca College a better, more inclusive community. This semester, I chose to work with Prudy's Pantry, a vital resource located in the Campus Center that provides food options for students and faculty with dietary restrictions. Given my own experience with dietary limitations, I felt a personal connection to the pantry’s mission. Supporting others who face similar challenges was not only incredibly rewarding but also allowed me to contribute to creating a more accessible and supportive environment on campus. It was fulfilling to see how my efforts helped ensure that everyone, regardless of their dietary needs, had access to nutritious and inclusive food options.
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Leadership Education Goal:
My goal for my first year at Ithaca College was to attend Student Leadership Institute (SLI) workshops to gain valuable skills and insights as I work toward leadership roles in multiple campus organizations. These workshops covered a range of topics, each offering lessons on how to be an effective and responsible leader. They helped me understand not only how to manage and guide an organization but also the importance of maintaining my own mental well-being as a leader. Through these sessions, I learned how to balance the demands of leadership while prioritizing self-care—an essential practice for sustaining long-term success. These experiences have been instrumental in preparing me to lead with both confidence and resilience.
My Fall 2025 Leadership Goals
Involvement Goal:
My involvement goal in the fall was to become an active member of a student theatre organization and take on a leadership role by directing a production. I am well on my way to achieving this goal after successfully pitching my vision for the musical The Last Five Years to IC Second Stage and receiving an offer to direct the show. While the official rehearsal process will begin at the start of the spring semester, I have already made significant progress by assembling a talented team and leading several planning meetings to ensure the production is set up for success. These early efforts have allowed me to establish a strong foundation for the show, and I am excited to see it come to life with the support of my dedicated team.
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Community Service Goal:
In the fall, my community service goal was to complete a volunteer project that, in some way, changed someone’s life. Even if my contribution was small, I believe I achieved this goal through my work with The Story Pirates by writing letters to encourage the creative development of children around the world.
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Leadership Education Goal:
My leadership education goal for my first semester at Ithaca was to attend SLI workshops that would equip me with tools to improve both my mental and physical health—especially given how challenging the transition was initially. Over the course of the semester, I believe I’ve made significant progress in strengthening my mental health, as the workshops provided valuable strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and maintaining emotional well-being. I plan to continue seeking out resources and workshops in the spring semester to further enhance my physical well-being and focus on building healthier habits.