This week’s LeaderBear is a Film Production major and member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity expecting to graduate in December 2016. Brandon has been through our Emerging Leaders and Distinction in Public Affairs programs in is time here at Missouri State. We asked him to share a little about those experiences:

“Programs such as Emerging Leaders and Distinction in Public Affairs taught me more about my leadership style and myself as a person. Emerging Leaders taught me to be more confident in myself and the decisions that I have to make through my involvement in other organizations. Also, I have made lifelong friendships with some of the other participants in this program. Distinction of Public Affairs allowed me to explore more about Missouri State’s public affairs mission, where I have learned to apply these pillars into my life. By doing so, I believe that I have become a more confident person. The most important impact that this program has taught me was to have more empathy for others that are different than myself. Cultural competence was the most important pillar that has impacted me because I am still learning how to be more culturally aware of others in my community.”

You might see him all over campus in the summer leading new students as they make their way through Student Orientation Advisement and Registration (SOAR). When he was a new student himself, Brandon served as the Philanthropy Chair for Phi Sigma Upsilon, the Junior FSL Council on campus. Student Activities Council is another area he has worked with as he’s served on the Lectures and Cultural Affairs committees. Brandon loves his own fraternity but also works hard for the entire fraternal community here at Missouri State. Last year he served as the Interfraternity Council’s Director of Social Awareness and this year he serves as the Vice President of Membership Development. In his time with IFC Brandon also created FSLSA, a student organization committed to social change in the fraternity and sorority community.

Just this semester Brandon was awarded the huge honor of being awarded the 2o15 Wayne S. Calvin Outstanding Undergraduate Award. He was recognized for this honor by the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values. Outstanding leaders like this Bear always have great advice for younger students:

“Advice that I would give to younger students is to step out of their comfort zones in any setting while still here at Missouri State. I had to step out of my zone during leadership positions and have taken risks, because of this I have become a more confident person and leader. Being here at Missouri State is the time to take the risks and learn from them, so that after graduation, you will be more prepared for the professional world.”