This week’s LeaderBear recently helped plan a demonstration for LGBT rights in downtown Springfield that nearly 1,500 Springfieldians attended. The event, #AllSpringfieldians, attracted attention from every major news source in the area. Chandler has completed both our Emerging Leaders and Distinction in Public Affairs programs as only a freshman on campus. This fall, he will complete our third program, Centennial Leaders, as a facilitator for freshmen scholarship recipients.

“The biggest impact is how close I was able become with other participants. Some of my best friends right now participated in these programs with me.”

Chandler is a Socio-Political Communication major set to graduate in 2018. He recently spent his Spring Break in Denver with his fraternity brothers. He and 8 other members of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) spent their week hiking and serving the Denver community through Habitat for Humanity. Chandler hopes to continue this passion for helping others by raising $7,500 for Make-A-Wish as FIJI’s Fall Philanthropy chair at their BBQ event with Alpha Chi Omega sorority. When he isn’t serving the community you might find Chandler hanging out with other Multicultural Leadership Scholars on campus. Or, you might see him giving campus tours to prospective students as a member of University Ambassadors. This fall he will also put on one of everybody’s favorite Homecoming Events, Decorate Downtown.

As a new student who has really taken hold of the opportunities Missouri State has to offer, and Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Outstanding Male Freshman, we asked Chandler what advice he has for younger students:

“Don’t think that just because your younger than other people it makes you less qualified to be in a leadership position.”