If connecting with people were an art, consider Sean, Vincent Van Gogh. As a junior studying electrical engineering, Sean has grown as a leader and shares his wealth of knowledge as an Orientation Leader for UM-Dearborn. Sean has found a way to combine his passions for engineering and philanthropy to make his community a better place wherever he ends up. Sean strives to make good and positive change in his life and the community around him!
Sean, in his own words
Favorite experience as a student? “One of my favorite experiences here at UM-Dearborn is being an orientation leader. My experience as an orientation leader has, quite simply, allowed me to be in this chair today. I have gotten the opportunity to engage with so many different students from so many different backgrounds. And, not only have they allowed me to become this student leader that I have become after these three years of being here on campus. But, I’ve been able to give back to them at the same time to be able to help them become their best selves and I think that is a quality that every Difference Maker should be able to hold and that is how it’s helped me.”
On inspiring others. “Through the various students that I’ve been able to meet here at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, I have learned a few things. Most importantly being the skill to help inspire others to be their best selves. A lot of my time here at the university was spent finding myself and becoming the best version of myself. And through that training, and leadership and communication and team building, I’ve been able to help others be able to find out who they truly are and find what makes them happy here at the university. And help them move towards their passion here so that they can have a successful college career here at the university.
Last summer, in 2019, I had the opportunity to serve as a W.O.W Counselor for the W.O.W Metro Trip. And on the trip, I met this young lady who was shy and reserved and didn’t really talk much. However, after growing a relationship with her, and becoming friends and telling her about my life story and her telling me about hers, she has been able to grow and flourish so much as a student leader. And during her first semester here at the university, she actually landed an on-campus job and through that, she was able to create a workshop completely from scratch around resume building and career goals and I couldn’t be prouder and that’s just one example of how students help other students to become better leaders.”
Advice he’d give to incoming students. “I would tell somebody who’s coming to the University of Michigan-Dearborn that this is a very unique experience that they would not be able to find anywhere else. There are so many different students, clubs, organizations, offices, student leaders, faculty and staff members who all work towards making your experience as great as it can be. For me, it personally serves as a campus for change if you are looking for a place to recreate yourself and become someone who you never thought that you could be and always hoped that you could be but never really got the chance to in years prior. This campus will help you become that person that you see yourself being and if you’re ready for that type of change, then come on over to the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Without student orgs, I wouldn’t be nearly as engaged, and outgoing, and outspoken as I am now. My first year here, I was extremely shy, extremely introverted. I would come to class everyday 30 minutes early, watch videos on my phone, go to class, then go home.”