Of the University's Goals that are set for your education, how can you now get more out of it?
I could get so much more out of my education if I was more aware and accepting of my limits. As a CCM Musical Theatre student, my opportunities to study abroad, participate in Co-op, and engage in research are very limited. Still, I'm very ambitious, and I'm involved in a myriad of activities around campus, so much so that I rarely have time to slow down and actively reflect on what I'm learning and what I want to learn in the future. Maybe that means being involved in one less thing or saying "no" to someone every so often, but I believe that getting the most out of my education means taking ownership of my education. I often tell prospective students, "Your experience in college is what you make of it, so make the most of it." I think I'm finally realizing that phrase could apply to a person stretching their time across multiple passions or devoting their time into one.
What do you hope to do in the future to further educate yourself?
My parents instilled a love for traveling in my sister and I at a young age, and now I recognize it as one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Experiencing a place firsthand is so much different than reading about it or looking at pictures online. I do feel I am missing out on the incredible opportunities UC has to offer in terms of studying abroad, so I hope to make up for the lost time after I graduate. Part of me is so enamored with the idea of backpacking across Europe, or even living abroad for an extended period of time. I think that experience would lead me to discover many things about foreign cultures and myself.
Are there issues on campus with these goals being delivered?
The only issue relevant to me is the curriculum I elect to take. Because I am a Musical Theatre student, I have a rigorous schedule that requires deep commitment and near undivided attention, which makes it essentially impossible to participate in many of the opportunities non-CCM students have the fortune of experiencing. For me, there is an acceptable disconnect between CCM's goals and UC's goals - I have learned to maneuverer between what is expected of me in my curriculum and pursuing the passions my curriculum does not offer.
How do you work as a student leader to bring these educational goals to fruition for other students both inside and outside the classroom?
I lead by example, plain and simple. Because everyone is different and pursues their interests uniquely, I think it would be ineffective if I tried to convince other people to pursue their passions the way I pursue mine. However, leading by example allows me to inspire others, and in turn, they emulate me - my work ethic, my enthusiasm, or whatever else inspired them. At least, that's how it worked for me. When I see someone whose work inspires me to do better, I try to emulate that person through the betterment of my own work. When I am extremely fortunate, I actually form a relationship with the person who inspired me, such is the mentor/mentee relationship. And when it is me on the mentor side of the relationship, I do everything in my power to empower my mentee to pursue their dreams in their own way, on their own terms.
How do you learn from those around you?
Observation is one of the most powerful abilities human beings possess. When was the last time you simply sat, observed something, and reflected on what you were observing? I can tell you the last time I did: this morning. Observation allows me to use my senses and take in what is going around me. From there, my thoughts form and I start making decisions on what I'm observing. To me, learning from those around me signifies an awareness of the people around me, what they're doing, what they're saying, how they're saying it; I then imagine why they do what they did, and I either agree or disagree, reflect on that decision, and learn something about myself because I was observant in another's actions.
How does UC implement a "why" to be an inspired organization?
The "why" to being an inspired organization comes from each individual's want or need to achieve something greater than their self. UC shows students that by participating in this event or joining that organization, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is different for each student, but the important thing is that the light exists for the student. The important thing is that the student is inspired to achieve something, because before organizations can be inspired to instigate change (which is the "why" in my opinion) the student must be inspired to instigate change.
How do the leaders of UC inspire it?
I think one of the most beautiful things about UC is the idea that each student has the potential to pursue their passion. The leaders of UC are instrumental in assuring each student that they have potential. This confidence is what allows change to take place - people must believe they have the capacity to make change or else they're dead in the water. The leaders of UC inspire the "why" to inspired organizations by living that "why". Pick out anyone you consider a leader and observe how they go about daily life. In most cases, these people know what they want and they are prepared to get it. They are confident in the reason they're doing what they're doing; they believe in what they're doing. By working hard to get what they want, they inspire others to work hard to get their respective wants, and before you know it, these leaders have inspired a community to get what it wants. Change happens when that community's internal wants align - when there is a group of people working toward a common goal.
I could get so much more out of my education if I was more aware and accepting of my limits. As a CCM Musical Theatre student, my opportunities to study abroad, participate in Co-op, and engage in research are very limited. Still, I'm very ambitious, and I'm involved in a myriad of activities around campus, so much so that I rarely have time to slow down and actively reflect on what I'm learning and what I want to learn in the future. Maybe that means being involved in one less thing or saying "no" to someone every so often, but I believe that getting the most out of my education means taking ownership of my education. I often tell prospective students, "Your experience in college is what you make of it, so make the most of it." I think I'm finally realizing that phrase could apply to a person stretching their time across multiple passions or devoting their time into one.
What do you hope to do in the future to further educate yourself?
My parents instilled a love for traveling in my sister and I at a young age, and now I recognize it as one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Experiencing a place firsthand is so much different than reading about it or looking at pictures online. I do feel I am missing out on the incredible opportunities UC has to offer in terms of studying abroad, so I hope to make up for the lost time after I graduate. Part of me is so enamored with the idea of backpacking across Europe, or even living abroad for an extended period of time. I think that experience would lead me to discover many things about foreign cultures and myself.
Are there issues on campus with these goals being delivered?
The only issue relevant to me is the curriculum I elect to take. Because I am a Musical Theatre student, I have a rigorous schedule that requires deep commitment and near undivided attention, which makes it essentially impossible to participate in many of the opportunities non-CCM students have the fortune of experiencing. For me, there is an acceptable disconnect between CCM's goals and UC's goals - I have learned to maneuverer between what is expected of me in my curriculum and pursuing the passions my curriculum does not offer.
How do you work as a student leader to bring these educational goals to fruition for other students both inside and outside the classroom?
I lead by example, plain and simple. Because everyone is different and pursues their interests uniquely, I think it would be ineffective if I tried to convince other people to pursue their passions the way I pursue mine. However, leading by example allows me to inspire others, and in turn, they emulate me - my work ethic, my enthusiasm, or whatever else inspired them. At least, that's how it worked for me. When I see someone whose work inspires me to do better, I try to emulate that person through the betterment of my own work. When I am extremely fortunate, I actually form a relationship with the person who inspired me, such is the mentor/mentee relationship. And when it is me on the mentor side of the relationship, I do everything in my power to empower my mentee to pursue their dreams in their own way, on their own terms.
How do you learn from those around you?
Observation is one of the most powerful abilities human beings possess. When was the last time you simply sat, observed something, and reflected on what you were observing? I can tell you the last time I did: this morning. Observation allows me to use my senses and take in what is going around me. From there, my thoughts form and I start making decisions on what I'm observing. To me, learning from those around me signifies an awareness of the people around me, what they're doing, what they're saying, how they're saying it; I then imagine why they do what they did, and I either agree or disagree, reflect on that decision, and learn something about myself because I was observant in another's actions.
How does UC implement a "why" to be an inspired organization?
The "why" to being an inspired organization comes from each individual's want or need to achieve something greater than their self. UC shows students that by participating in this event or joining that organization, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is different for each student, but the important thing is that the light exists for the student. The important thing is that the student is inspired to achieve something, because before organizations can be inspired to instigate change (which is the "why" in my opinion) the student must be inspired to instigate change.
How do the leaders of UC inspire it?
I think one of the most beautiful things about UC is the idea that each student has the potential to pursue their passion. The leaders of UC are instrumental in assuring each student that they have potential. This confidence is what allows change to take place - people must believe they have the capacity to make change or else they're dead in the water. The leaders of UC inspire the "why" to inspired organizations by living that "why". Pick out anyone you consider a leader and observe how they go about daily life. In most cases, these people know what they want and they are prepared to get it. They are confident in the reason they're doing what they're doing; they believe in what they're doing. By working hard to get what they want, they inspire others to work hard to get their respective wants, and before you know it, these leaders have inspired a community to get what it wants. Change happens when that community's internal wants align - when there is a group of people working toward a common goal.