Ryan Bush  |  Kimmy Do  |  Cathy Gianella  |  Bianca Lewis
Cortney Richardson  |  Heidi Thomas  |  Libba Walker

Ryan Bush - Senior
Hometown: McMinnville, TN
High School: Warren County High School

Involvement
Frosh Camp Counselor 2007 & 2008, Inter-fraternity Council Executive Board, Greek Life, Student Activities Council, Blue Crew and Up Til' Dawn.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
A person should apply to be an Emerging Leader because it is a great way to get involved and improve your leadership skills. Being an Emerging Leader, you already are a step ahead of everyone else. You already have standards that you must meet and surpass. Being an Emerging Leader you receive so many connections that will help you in your future college years, and in your future career. The Emerging Leader Program enhances so many of your qualities that other programs cannot.

Top of Page

Kimmy Do - Sophomore
Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School: Briarcrest Christian Highschool

Involvement
Up 'til Dawn, Environmental Action Club, Student Activities Council, Frosh Camp Counselor, Campus Outreach, Blue Crew.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
I've had the privilege to work with and meet many other outstanding leaders on campus. I'm so grateful for this program because it has given me a direction to achieve my goals and succeed in life.

Top of Page

Involvement
Greek Sorority, Blue Crew, Hispanic Student Organization/ La Lengua, Freshman Diaries, Frosh Frenzy, Up 'Til Dawn, and founding member of the Memphis Student Lifeblood Donor Council to promote blood donations among students, faculty, and friends.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
Being an Emerging Leader really helps students to get acclimated to college life. Emerging Leaders already know much about a variety of campus activities even before school begins and they move into residence halls having friends up and down the hall that they can always count on. My closest friends are Emerging Leaders and it is truly inspiring to be surrounded by friends who are just as motivated to get involved around campus. I don't know what I would be doing now if I hadn't applied to be an Emerging Leader, but I know that I wouldn't have gotten half of the opportunities that I have now and I probably wouldn't have met such amazing people. I can't imagine my life at the University of Memphis any other way.

Top of Page

Involvement
Greek Life, Up 'til Dawn, Frosh Camp Counselor 2009, Environmental Action Club, Tiger Elite, Campus Outreach, Edscholar, Honors Program, American Humanics.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
As an emerging leader, I have gained new skills and develop all within an inspiring and supportive community of student leaders. I’m excited for my future because of this program.

Top of Page

 Involvement
Frosh Camp Executive Board, Empowered Men of Color (E.M.O.C.) National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP), Black Student Association (BSA), Students Advocating Service (SAS), Student Activities Committee (SAC)

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
The Emerging Leaders program allows students who have displayed leadership qualities throughout their high school years to become more well-rounded leaders. The primary focus of the Emerging Leaders program is to create leaders of the world not just leaders of the community. Being accepted into the program after the very necessary and interesting application process is a major accomplishment. The Emerging Leaders Program makes the good leaders better and makes the better leader the best.

Top of Page

Heidi Thomas - Senior
Hometown:  McKenzie, TN
High School:  McKenzie High School

Involvement
Students' Advocating Service - Campus Activities Chair, Black Student Association - Fashion Show Chair, Pre-Law Society, Habitat for Humanity (active volunteer).

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?  
The Emerging Leader Program is most definitely an elite organization on campus, that can help further your life not only academically, but professionally as well. Through this program, you are able to network and communicate with people on a different level. Emerging Leaders receive more respect from faculty and administration because they understand the value of the program. There is a lot which is required, but the hard work does not go unnoticed. You are surrounded by people who are guaranteed to succeed in life, granting you more work opportunities in the future. I have made friends, received an internship, and continue to increase my knowledge for free because of the Emerging Leader Scholarship Program.

Top of Page

Libba Walker - Senior
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High School: Madison Academic Magnet High School

Involvement
Tiger Elite, Greek Life, Up Til Dawn Exec, Frosh Camp, MEISA Exec (Music Entertainment Industry Student Association), Career Peer Advisor.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
Being an Emerging Leader offers invaluable opportunities that encourage growth not only as a leader but as an individual as well. You begin your college career surrounded by peers and administrators that respect you and challenge you to become a better person. And the lessons learned from your experiences as an Emerging Leader will last a lifetime!

Top of Page