Richard Hall’s service in the United States Marine Corps has helped him learn how to find common ground and lead people who may have very different points of view.

“Being in the Marines taught me how to work toward a common goal—a goal that was bigger than my own individual beliefs and behaviors—with people of various backgrounds, with different ideologies and values,” said Hall, who held the positions of team leader and squad leader while in the Marine Corps.

Hall said this showed him how to lead by example, mentoring and helping people develop not only as Marines, but holistically as human beings.

Now a UM-Dearborn communications student, those experiences helped Hall successfully transition to college life. And as president of Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) Hall continues to work on building rapport with others.

“Being able to get along with anyone I meet, to listen to and understand someone’s goals and point of view, and ultimately to help them achieve those goals is something that I take pride in,” he said. “That's what makes me a Difference Maker.”

The leadership experience he’s gained has helped him continue to establish positive working relationships with the leaders of other governing councils and campus organizations. In addition to IFC, Hall is the vice president of the campus’s Phi Sigma Phi chapter, where he oversees the conduct and performance of the chapter’s chairmen, listens to their concerns and helps mentor younger members.

And that experience is preparing Hall for a major professional goal.

“I want to get to a point in my career where I am able to counsel a client to do the right thing,” he said. “I want to be able to get a message across to an audience—the right message, in the right place and time.”