“I believe I was selected as a Difference Maker because of my work ethic, taking the shirt off of my back for anyone without asking for anything in return, and the energy and support I bring to those around me.”

David Muse is no stranger to campus recognition, having made the College of Business Dean’s List for six consecutive semesters and being inducted into the honor society Beta Gamma Sigma, which is an honor reserved for the top 10 percent of undergraduate students.

But he also finds time to give back, whether through volunteering for a charity bingo — a community program started by his mother which doubles as a family bonding experience — or through his campus involvement.

David participates in Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, which led to finding a mentor in group adviser and professor Mike Callahan. He was able to successfully complete an internship at Northwestern Mutual using his skills as a finance major, and is now looking for opportunities that draw upon the information systems management side of his degree program. Having served as treasurer and later president of the Information Systems Management Association, he’s well on his way to finding future success.  

David, in his own words

On leadership: “There are a lot of qualities that can make a good leader, but it is up to that individual if they can follow through with their said qualities. One huge thing is to lead by example. You want to instill in the minds of those around you that if you can do it, they can do it. You always want to believe in your peers — and even if they fail you, help boost them up to try again. Patience is not only a great virtue but a much needed quality to be a good leader. Not everything can happen overnight but if you believe in yourself, your team, and the process, anything can be achieved. Also, taking a moment to step back and analyze a situation without ‘jumping the gun’ is a quality every good leader needs. Lastly, positive and outgoing energy is a quality I like to promote. If you cannot be positive and make everyone in the room happy or smile, you will have a difficult time leading that group.” 

On campus involvement. “Getting involved on campus not only changed my perspective in that setting but in my personal life as well. As I started to become involved and step outside of my comfort zone on campus, I started to volunteer and become active in my community. When I started college I was around the age of 22. With being a little older than the average freshman, my goal was to go and finish as quickly as possible to get my life started. During my junior year, I was strictly taking classes at the College of Business. During this time I noticed people around me were closer and had meaningful friendships. I also noticed the energy and charisma from my fellow peers. I decided to change my normal routine and take on new challenges and opportunities. So many doors opened for me including relationships, opportunities, and the drive to keep challenging myself to open more doors.”

Advice for future students. “The thing I would tell someone thinking about coming to UM-Dearborn — and I preach it daily — is to get involved the moment you step foot on campus. Time is the most precious thing and you don't want it to slip away before you have a chance to make an impact. Whether the involvement is substantial or minimal, you are making a change in your life for the better. Use this opportunity to ease out of your comfort zone because those who succeed in life love living outside of it. Lastly, bring positive energy to every task in your life. Whether it is going on a jog or giving a large presentation, tackle every task with the same amount of positive energy.”