Leaders are equipped with certain traits that allow them to succeed.

Case in point – Josef Zenicki.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn graduate student excels inside and outside the classroom because of his strong perseverance and dogged determination to get the job done right.

That positive approach has led to Josef’s success and, ultimately, a spot on this year’s list of “Difference Makers.”

“I believe I am a difference maker to the University of Michigan-Dearborn greater campus for a number of reasons, most relating to my positive attitude and desire to succeed in realizing growth, both personally and professionally,” he said.

Josef’s “Difference Maker” nomination comes as no surprise, as he’s received numerous awards during his tenure at UM-Dearborn.

Upon finishing his undergraduate degree at UM-Dearborn, Josef received one of the university’s top honors – the Chancellor’s Medallion. He received the honor because of his strong academics displayed within the College of Business and his extracurricular involvement.

But, for Josef, the awards simply recognize his passion for leadership.

“An opportunity to lead a group of like-minded individuals is something I proactively seek out,” he said. “I was lucky enough to have a few of these opportunities come my way during my years at the University of Michigan Dearborn, most of them at the College of Business.”

There, he joined Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors business fraternity for accounting, finance and information systems’ students and professionals.

Off campus, Josef competed in the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan for several years, where he served as a captain.

The awards and variety of volunteer commitments helped Josef earn a full-time position at Ernst & Young, which he will begin in the fall. Josef is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting, while working at Ernst & Young, but that doesn’t keep him from staying involved with the university.

Josef serves as Ernst & Young’s campus ambassador for UM-Dearborn, so he’s in charge of recruiting students and organizing networking events to familiarize his classmates on internship opportunities within the company.