Leadership Programs
University of Memphis Photo
Emerging Leader Profiles profiles

Leslie Berry  |  Janie Crick  |  Kimmy Do  |  Hope Fransis  |  Cathy Gianella
Gian Gozum  |  Antonias Hawkins  |  Zach Kiedis  |  Bianca Lewis
Whitley Miller  |  Katelyn Hesser Nichols  |  Micky Pietkiewicz  |  Maria Rodriguez



Leslie Berry - Sophomore
Hometown: Clinton, MD
High School: Oxon Hill High School
Major: Civil Engineering

Involvement
Frosh Camp Counselor, National Society of Black Engineers, Student Ambassador Board, Black Student Association, Students Advocating Service, Helen Hardin Honors Program, Future Alumni of Memphis


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
This program creates and facilitates a positive community of leaders at the university. Students who participate in the program are given opportunities to network and build relationships with faculty and administration of the university, as well as, leaders in the community through various leadership workshops and events. Above all, the program gives students a wonderful college experience due to the relationships students build with their peers. My college career at the University of Memphis has been so enriched due to my participation in the Emerging Leaders Program.

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Janie Crick - Sophomore
Hometown: Mt. Juliet, TN
High School: Mt. Juliet High School
Major: Theatre Performance

Involvement
Frosh Council, Campus Crusades for Christ, Fred Mertz Association, Dance Alliance, TigerSERV, AskTOM Desk Assistant, Recruitment & Orientation Tour Guide Community Involvement: Voices of the South, Southern Avenue Charter School Volunteer


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
This is a program that reaches out to students of all interests. The leadership training to applicable all majors/career goals from business to my chosen major, theater. The networking and resume building opportunities are vital skills in any chosen profession and this program does an excellent job of making that work for all of our diverse academic interests. As an Emerging Leader, I will continue to build upon my university involvement and community engagement with the goal of impacting the world once I graduate.

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Kimmy Do - Junior
Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School: Briarcrest Christian High School
Major: Psychology

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



Why should someone 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.

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Hope Francis - Sophomore
Hometown: Gates, TN
High School: Ripley High School
Major: Psychology

Involvement
Campus Outreach, Greek Life, Student Ambassador Board, Tiger Serve, Students Advocating Service and Future Alumni of Memphis



Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The emerging leaders program is much more than a scholarship, but rather an honor to have highly experienced and knowledgeable University of Memphis staff guiding and supporting your leadership development. Through this program, I have gained learned leadership skills that I will use not only at the University of Memphis, but also in my career and community after I graduate. The emerging leader program helps students transition into college with fellow students leaders who become a family. We become a community all striving to reach academic and professionals goals. Being a part of the emerging leader program provide me the catalyst to grow as a leader and person. I am forever grateful to be part of this program.

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Cathy Gianella - Senior
Hometown: Bartlett, Tennessee
High School: Bartlett High School
Major: Journalism

Involvement
Greek Life, 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 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.

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Gian Gozum - Junior
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High School: Madison Academic Magnet High School
Majors: Asian Studies and International Trade, Economics

Involvement
Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Student Government Association, Honors Student Council, Helen Hardin Honors Program, Future Alumni of Memphis Advisory Board


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The Emerging Leaders program provides students with not only leadership training, but also with skills that are highly sought after for those entering the job market. Because of the program's holistic approach, students gain a commitment to the community, a balanced undergraduate experience, and most importantly, lifelong friends. I have definitely enjoyed my time at the University of Memphis, but it certainly would not have been the same without this program.

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Antonias Hawkins - Junior
Hometown: Trenton, TN
High School:
Major: Political Science

Involvement
Student Ambassador Board, Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, Students Advocating Service, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Black Student Association



Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The Emerging Leader Program gives every aspiring young leaders the opportunity to develop many leadership qualities and skills. The program creates an engaging learning atmosphere amongst a diverse group of leaders. The Emerging Leader Program develops student leaders to be successful on campus and to prepare for the community/profession leadership once they graduate.

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Zach Kiedis - Sophomore
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
High School: The Kings Academy
Major: Communication

Involvement
TigerServ, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)





Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The Emerging Leaders program is a great way to get involved and educates you on all aspects of leadership. Through the Emerging Leaders program you are given so many different opportunities to make a difference not only on campus, but also in our community. Being apart of the Emerging Leaders program has provided me with valuable experiences, friendships, and personal growth. The University of Memphis and the Emerging Leaders program provided me an opportunity that I couldn't find anywhere else.

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Bianca Lewis - Junior
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: McGavock High School
Major: Foreign Languages, Anthropology

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 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.

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Whitley Miller - Junior
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High School: Madison Academic High School
Major: Marketing Management Minor: Supply Chain

Involvement
Student Government Association, Black Scholars Unlimited Recording Secretary, Chairperson of Igniting Excitement Black History Month, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Tiger Elite


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The Emerging Leaders Program is an amazing opportunity for students to be effective leaders on and off the University of Memphis campus. Students learn how to discover and define their strengths and weaknesses and apply that knowledge in student organization leadership roles. Emerging Leaders comprehend how to balance the different experiences of a being a U of M student including coursework, campus involvement, community service and student employment/student internship. If a student is willing to step into an opportunity that will benefit them all four years of college and for the rest of their life, they should definitely apply to be an Emerging Leader.

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Katelyn Hesser Nichols - Sophomore
Hometown: Hernando, MS
High School: SBEC (Southern Baptist Educational Center)
Major: Theater Performance

Involvement
Greek life (Leadership Chair and Alumni Relations Chair of sorority; also on Recruitment Team), The F.A.M Executive Board, The Fred Mertz Theater Association, Catholic Student Organization, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The opportunities and advantages you obtain from this program are immeasurable. Not only do you cultivate amazing friendships with your fellow Emerging Leaders, but the training and education involved with the program further your development as a leader who can make a real difference in the world. Combined with the connections you make on an individualized level with leaders who come speak to the E.L program, the program's emphasis of ethical decision making, critical thinking, and problem solving provides students with the confidence and the means to take on the world upon graduation. Something quite exciting, I think!

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Micky Pietkiewicz - Sophomore
Hometown: Shelbyville, TN
High School: Shelbyville Central High School
Major: Broadcast Journalism

Involvement
Up 'til Dawn Executive Board, Tiger Elite, Vice President Scholarship for Greek organization, Orientation Guide, Frosh Council


Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
High school seniors should apply for the Emerging Leader scholarship because it immediately places them with a group of students they can relate to and share their college experience with. The Emerging Leader program also encourages students to become involved on campus and develop skills they can use for a life time.

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Maria Rodriguez - Junior
Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School: White Station High School
Major: Biology, Foreign Languages

Involvement
Hispanic Student Association, Catholic Student  Organization, Interested Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha



Why should someone apply to be an Emerging Leader?

The Emerging Leaders Program serves as a guide for success and it is an honor to be part of this program. As an individual, not only do you get to learn about leadership, but also networking, time management and how you can change a community. Being an Emerging Leader means being part of a family where the main focus is to help you grow and contribute back to your community. If you want to have a memorable college experience, with life-long friends and unforgettable experiences, the Emerging Leaders Program is your best choice.

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Zach Kiedis

Zach Kiedis
Sophomore
Communication
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
The Kings Academy

Involvement:
TigerServ, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)

Why should someone be an Emerging Leader?
The Emerging Leaders program is a great way to get involved and educates you on all aspects of leadership. Through the Emerging Leaders program you are given so many different opportunities to make a difference not only on campus, but also in our community. Being apart of the Emerging Leaders program has provided me with valuable experiences, friendships, and personal growth. The University of Memphis and the Emerging Leaders program provided me an opportunity that I couldn't find anywhere else.

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Last Updated: 1/23/12