From Student Leader to Founder: A Full Circle Leadership Journey
- Daenne’s Journal
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
I recently told a few students this: whatever you are doing in life, do it well. Do your best to focus on the things you are passionate about.
Let me tell you how I learned that lesson myself.
When I was in college, one of the things that was important to me was leadership. Most of my extracurricular activities revolved around it. Leadership remains important to me today. During my last year at Florida International University (FIU), I became the president of Tau Sigma National Honor Society (Tau), the first and only national honor society for transfer students. When I transferred to FIU, I tried to find my footing by getting involved in multiple organizations. But there was something unique about Tau, and I decided to devote my time and energy there.
As president, I learned how to prepare an agenda, lead meetings, lead people, attend my first leadership conference, and plan large-scale events. Tau was truly the highlight of my undergraduate experience.
Years later, I find myself walking a similar path again, but from a different perspective. I am currently participating in a program at work called Leadership Pathway. The program lasts a year. You learn different leadership tactics and are paired with a mentor in senior leadership at the university. As part of the program, you have the option to complete a project that serves the entire university community.
My mentor works with undergraduate students, and I work with graduate students. I was looking for something that could merge both of our worlds. One of the first things I did when I started my job was check to see if we had a Tau chapter. I noticed we did not have one, and I thought, perhaps I could start one?
When I shared the idea with my mentor, he immediately saw my passion and was onboard. I knew it was meant for me to pursue this when I reached out to the national office about starting a chapter and learned that the Director and Founder of Tau just so happened to be coming to Las Vegas a few weeks after my initial email. I could not have planned that myself even if I tried. This was all the work of the Lord.
After a few months of paperwork, I am officially the founder and advisor of the Kappa Eta chapter of Tau Sigma. Seeing our first cohort of 67 inductees step into their leadership roles reminded me why doing everything well matters. It took a lot of work and dedication to create a chapter for undergraduate transfer students while also building meaningful connections with the graduate college. I am eternally grateful for my dean and colleagues who have supported me throughout this process. I truly have the best allies.
Whatever you do, do it well. As I was planning and drafting documents, I opened my computer and found all of the files from when I was a student. I did not have to start from scratch. Looking back, I realized something. The reason I was not starting over was because years ago, I chose to steward the opportunity well. I was able to share all of my past documents with the chapter president. That made the start of her presidency a lot smoother. God’s word is true. When you are faithful with a little, He will put you in charge of more, as written in Matthew 25:23.
Some of my core values are leadership, service, community, and academic excellence. These are exactly the pillars the Kappa Eta Chapter of Tau will focus on.
For so long, I overthought writing this article. I remember the days when I would just journal and publish without a second thought. Doing this again feels freeing.
Thank you for being on this journey with me :).
I pray that my journey from student leader to founder encourages you to do everything with all of your heart as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
If you are not subscribed to Daenne's Journal, click here to subscribe so the next article can be in your email.
Xoxo,
DD
Comments