What makes you a Difference Maker?
What makes me a difference maker is my attitude. I see potential in everyone and in every situation. I believe that every person alive has a purpose and therefore potential. I also believe that every situation can be used for good in some way. I am not content with just being involved in efforts to make a positive change; I want to create the drive to get others involved too. I would be dishonest if I said that I am always happy-go-lucky with a smile on my face and a rainbow over my head. In fact, I am sometimes saddened and frustrated when I see some of the unfortunate, yet preventable, situations around me. But this only fuels my passion. I know that change requires action, so I push and pull and talk and rally, and pray (not necessarily in that order). Yes, I can make a difference with my actions, but in my opinion, that is not enough. I am not satisfied until I can encourage others to join in.
Campus Achievements:
I enrolled in the College of Business in the Fall of 2014. That same semester I became a member of the Supply Chain Association (SCA). I was inducted into Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed business fraternity in the Winter 2015 and have been an active member since that time, serving on the Professional Development Committee. In the summer of 2015, I completed a study abroad in Padua, Italy. I also made the Dean’s List during both semesters of 2015. The following semester (Fall 2016), I became President of the Supply Chain Association and a member of the Student Advisory Board. In February 2016, I was selected to present the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Alpha Kappa Psi-Eta Nu Chapter’s flagship program (I Academy) at the annual Principled Business Leadership Institute Conference. I am a Project Team Member for I Academy (formerly E Academy), a summer program for high school students, designed to teach them to think like entrepreneurs. I am also representing the University of Michigan-Dearborn as a member of the National Supply Chain Case Competition team, which will compete against 15 colleges in April 2016 at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Leadership Experiences:
One experience that has contributed to strengthening my character was working in a leadership role at Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless is a very results driven corporation. I had the responsibility of managing a team of between 10 - 15 technical support employees in the call center. Learning to meet the high demand for results from upper management, while balancing the delicate management of a diverse team, made a significant contribution to my strength as a person and as a leader. I also developed leadership skills while serving as a Lay leader at Ford Memorial United Methodist Church. I have served as the Worship Committee Chair and the Membership Committee Chair. I have also directed the youth choir and led the youth Bible study. Being a leader in the church and working with children has taught me humility and patience. On campus, I have led the executive board of the Supply Chain Association as President. I have also developed leadership experiences in group settings such as with the Student Advisory Board, I Academy, and on several group projects.
What is your Dream Career?
I don’t know that I have a “dream” career. I would certainly like to become a high-ranking executive in a multi-billion dollar company; but that’s not enough. Whatever I do, whether with my career or otherwise, must come with a sense of fulfillment. I need to be able to see the difference that I am making. One of my greatest desires is to obtain a platform on which to speak with high school students about the importance of immediate college enrollment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of students opting to enroll in college right after high school dropped by 66.2% in 2014, which is the lowest rate in a decade. The report goes on to state that 74% of students who did not enroll in college were in the labor force by that October. I understand this phenomenon and I want to share my knowledge and experience to help reverse these numbers.
What was your Most Defining Moment at UM-Dearborn?
My most defining moment at the University of Michigan-Dearborn was the moment I walked down the main hall of Fairlane Center South in the College of Business, for the first time. I went to the campus prior to the first day of school to familiarize myself with the building and the location of my classes. The halls were empty and as I walked down the hall, I read the accolades in the glass showcases. I was impressed by the Chancellor’s Medallion Medal winner, the Dean’s List, and other awards on display. It was then also that I became aware of the Supply Chain Association and Alpha Kappa Psi. I felt proud; even though I was not affiliated with any of the student organizations or associations, and I was not being recognized with any awards… yet. I realized that a college education would not be enough for me. I wanted a rich college experience. This prompted me to search for opportunities within the university. I went home and searched the college’s website. There, I learned more about the Supply Chain Association (SCA) and Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi). I also found the International Summer Program in Management (ISPM). Within a month, I was a member of SCA. The next semester, I became a member of AKPsi and was elected to the Executive Board of SCA. The following summer, I completed the ISPM study abroad program in Padua, Italy. These affiliations opened more doors of opportunity for me, such as the Student Advisory Board, I-Academy, and many others. For instance, I found out about my position at BorgWarner from a fellow SCA member. As a result, I obtained an internship at BorgWarner where I have worked as a Global Supply Management Intern in the Advanced Purchasing Department of the Thermal Business Unit for the past 15 months.