Secrets for Success
Get ideas from Florida's top guns
Compiled by Chelsea Ellis
Whether you’re struggling against adversity, trying to get your group members to embrace your vision, or contemplating a scary future, being a student leader is a tough job. That’s why Florida Leader brings you advice from the 2002 Florida College Student of the Year honorees. Read on for first-hand tips on being a good leader under any circumstances. For more information on last year’s winners or to participate in the 2003 Florida College Student of the Year Award, please visit www.floridaleader.com/soty.
What surprised you most about your transition from being a high school
leader to a college leader?
"Life is full of second chances! As a high school student, I never
aspired to any visible leadership position. As a result, the positions I
reached at St. Petersburg College represented uncharted waters. The surprise
came about in the passion I developed for assisting in another’s life. The
ability to talk to another individual from their standpoint has been an
asset I have exploited to foster unique relationships among a diverse
population."
—L. Stefan Moroney
01-02 Executive Officer, Phi Theta Kappa
St. Petersburg College-Clearwater
luis.moroney@ptk.org
How do you overcome adversity?
"I overcome adversity through my assertiveness and determination.
Whenever I see something that clearly fosters adversity, I try to act upon
that and create events or projects that promote learning and understanding.
One such event was an International Fest in which we had many [ethnic]
groups represented so that students could learn about their cultures and the
diversity within our university."
—Leyda H. Su Ham
01-02 President
Pre-Med Society
Nova Southeastern University
suhaml@nova.edu
What qualities make you an effective leader?
"I’ve been told that my charisma is contagious, so I try to be as
enthusiastic as possible to inspire others to envision all of the future
potential that I foresee. I also never act only as ‘the leader.’ When we’re
working on a project, I get down in the dirt with everyone else and work on
the nitty-gritty. If you’re too good to do the grunt work, then you’re not
an effective leader."
—Charity E. Hamilton
01-02 Director of Clubs and Organizations
Student Government Association
Florida Gulf Coast University
peerlessme@aol.com
"I’m passionate about the organizations I’m involved in.
Because of this, I’m able to make selfless contributions for the betterment
of the organization both as a leader and a member. I also hold leadership
positions because I want to make a difference, not for the title that comes
with the position. I always try to see both sides of any argument;
therefore, I’m an effective and creative problem solver. Also, I’m an
effective leader because I have a positive outlook on life and see the
beauty and potential in each person I come in contact with. I always try to
energize people to act by building an understanding and desire for action
within themselves."
—Stefanie McCormack
01-02 Site Leader, Alternative Break Corps.
Florida State University
sgm5693@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
What advice would you give to up-and-coming leaders?
"Mentor with someone who’s a leader. Study their style, the good and bad,
and try to embellish their good traits and minimize their bad ones.
Somewhere in there develop your own style."
—Elvis Brazil, 01-02 President
Student Government Association
Miami-Dade Community College-North
elvis_brazil@msn.com
"Passion is leadership, so first learn about yourself—what drives you to act, and what is special to you. Learn about yourself, and then use that to lead and create change."
—Michael Gale
01-02 Student Government
Cabinet Coordinator
University of Florida
divrsify@ufl.edu
How has your group improved the quality of campus life for students? How
can it be further improved after you graduate?
"Students are more aware now that enthusiasm is independent of age.
Non-traditional students can experience all the aspects of collegiate life
including the fun and fellowship that comes through participation in
extracurricular student activities. To continue the legacy, I mentored many
new students who will inherit the leadership roles I currently occupy."
—James Reynolds
01-02 President
Student Government Association
Rollins College-Brevard
cgsurfari@aol.com
"Beta Theta Pi is deeply involved in campus events and community service. It has increased the appreciation for leadership, academic excellence, campus involvement, intramurals, and school pride. After I leave I hope my organization can build more bridges for future students and leaders."
—Richard Dudley
01-02 President
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
University of South Florida
pocket140@aol.com
What’s the most important issue Florida college students face today?
"Trying to figure out what their next step would be. It’s hard to know
what exactly you want to do, and colleges are the nesting-ground for
self-development. It’s often difficult to figure out what we should get
involved with. In college, you are truly preparing for the real world!"
—Nour Kawa
Mentor, Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity
University of Florida
nourkawa@hotmail.com
"As with all college students, trying to balance academics with a social
life and extracurricular activities. Trying to find time to develop all
aspects of ourselves."
—Amanda Howey
01-02 Director of Faculty and Student Interaction
Organization of Students
Eckerd College
howeyam@eckerd.edu
How do you make your visions a reality and get others excited about them?
"A vision must be communicated to all that you lead. The best way to
communicate an organization’s vision is to live it. If people recognize
you’re inspired, they’ll become inspired as well, and the seed will be
planted throughout your organization."
—Sherman Curry
President
FAMU Student Chapter of IMA
Florida A&M University
shermanmaurice@aol.com
"By laying down a strong foundation of commitment, I try to empower my peers through dedication and hard work. It’s also important to make sure your organization’s vision reflects a collective action that is firmly rooted in the members’ shared values. Only then will they become excited and want to be a part of positive changes. To get group members excited about my visions, I have one meeting devoted to goal setting and I bring a list of those goals and a plan of action to subsequent meetings. In developing my visions for an organization, I make sure that my expectations are realistic, and then I divide them into short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are necessary so your organization can track the progress it’s making. Through the progression of short-term goals, it’s easy to fuel excitement for any vision."
—Stefanie McCormack
What will most improve life in Florida in the future?
"The preservation of our natural resources. The Keys and the coral reefs
are under an extinction watch if measures aren’t taken soon to cut down on
pollution causing damage to them. Populations are going to expand; we need
to set aside more Everglades, mangroves, and reef for protection."
—Patrick Gaughran
01-02 President
Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity
Florida Keys Comm. College
cirdankey@aol.com
If you had the power to change one thing about your school or the Florida
educational system before you graduate, what would it be?
"I would definitely try to improve the information technology resources
available in many of Florida schools. As a computer science major, I realize
that Florida lags behind a number of states in terms of technology. It must
be realized that we are living in the Information Technology era, and it’s
imperative for us to conform to the requirements of society."
—Amit Verma
01-02 Assistant Director
Recycling Program
vermaak@eckerd.edu
"Education reform will most improve life in Florida. We must ensure that students K-12 receive a good foundation for entry into college. Only with a solid educational foundation can Florida change its low-ranking status among colleges in this country."
—José Montalvo
01-02 President
Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity
josemmontalvo@hotmail.com
In what specific areas will you use your
leadership abilities after you graduate?
"I hope that my experience will make me more marketable in the corporate
world. I want to prove that I can efficiently run any organization."
—Oliver Davis III
01-02 Secretary
Student Government Association
Okaloosa-Walton Community College
ineedamirakle@excite.com
"Leadership, diplomacy, organization, and time management carry over into many fields. I’m planning on working for the FBI."
—Rachel Russo
established Citizens for the Sea
University of Central Florida
rmr04478@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Copyright © 2006 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved
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