Elizabeth Sivill is an example of a participant in our programs that was truly inspired to use what she learned to do great things and get involved with everything she possibly could. She was part of the Centennial Leaders Scholarship program her freshman and sophomore year and completed the Distinction in Public Affairs program her sophomore year. Elizabeth says she remembers being terrified for the first Centennial Leaders meeting the first day of classes of her freshman year. But with each session she grew confidence that she would take beyond the program.
This week’s LeaderBear is an accouting and risk management/insurance double major planning to graduate in 2016. Elizabeth currently holds a job in the Dean of the College of Business’ Office and she recently completed an internship at O’Reilly’s corporate office over the summer. She’s only in her junior year but her resume of what she’s done is nothing short of outstanding. Each year Centennial Leaders must accrue points in their second year by getting involved on campus. Elizabeth set a program record by accruing over 400 points. Some of the things she has gotten herself involved in include:
• Beta Alpha Psi (Profession Accounting Fraternity)
– President 2014-2015
– Treasurer 2013-2014
• Student Government Association – Senator
• Delta Sigma Pi – Vice President of Finance
• Campus for Christ – Vice President
• Accounting Club/IMA – Director of Professional Programming
• Bill Perry Accounting Leadership Circle
• MSU COB Student Ambassador
• Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values Representative
• Numerous Community Service Opportunities
One of Elizabeth’s biggest accomplishments has been taking something something she learned in one of our programs and placing in a national competition with it. Every year the Centennial Leaders class learns about their strengths through a tool called StrengthsFinder. Each student takes a test that produces them with the results of their top five strengths out of 34. Elizabeth took what she learned in Centennial Leaders and after collaborating with our office completed a best practices project for her Beta Alpha Psi chapter about strengths. She had all of her members take the StrengthsFinder test and used the results to better structure and organize her organization. Her project received 1st place at the regional level and won 3rd place nationally. The 5 strengths that help Elizabeth accomplish what she does are: Achiever, Learner, Harmony, Responsibility, Input.
If you are interested in having an inspiring experience in one of our leadership programs like Elizabeth did, there is still time to apply for one this year. The deadline for Distinction in Public Affairs applications is November 20, 2014. Visit our website today if you are interested: www.missouristate.edu/dpa.
When asked what about our programs impacted her the most she replied,
“The life lessons and the friendships made. Going into Centennial Leaders on the first day of classes was terrifying. After the end of each session, I grew more confidence and comfortable with the group and with myself. I learned that I can take on tasks and be a leader. Also, I was able to take on skills I learned in Centennial Leaders and apply them to my other organizations. My Beta Alpha Psi chapter used StrengthsQuest to form committees last year and my college ministry (Campus for Christ) visited leadership ranch. Finally, I met some of my best friends through Centennial Leaders. We are all there to support one another in accomplishing our goals and living out our college years to the fullest. I still hang out with them today!”
Her advice to younger students:
“Take advantage of every opportunity given to you and learn from it. Life (and college specifically) elapses quickly, and it is up to you to make something of your time. So be brave and commit yourself to things you might not think you can conquer, so that when you do, you can reflect on how much you have grown. If it ends with discontentment, still reflect and see what you learned about yourself from it. You will learn what you morals and values are, how to use them in an effective way.”