Student Spotlight: Mandy Martin

Mandy Martin, a Junior Musical Theater major and Emerging Leader from Nashville, TN, discusses how the Emerging Leaders program has enriched her college experience and changed the course of her life.

Mandy Martin

I chose the University of Memphis because of its incredible Theater and Dance Department. I had no idea what other amazing things this school had to offer until I got here in the Fall of 2009.

I am currently the Vice President of the Fred Mertz Association, the student-run organization for the Department of Theatre & Dance, and will be the Student Coordinator for Alternative Spring Break 2012 community service trip. I have also been involved in Up til’ Dawn, the Environmental Action Club, Tiger Serve, and was a Frosh Camp counselor.

The most valuable aspects of the Emerging Leaders Program are volunteering in the community and attending speakers. Having examples of excellent leaders to model ourselves after is a tremendous help. It also gives us so many opportunities to network and connect with important community leaders.

In spring 2010, I was selected to attend the Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans. There were fifteen of us together for a whole week. Very few of us knew anyone before the trip, yet we all got along brilliantly. I think the reason for our instant connection was that we chose to spend our spring break going to another city to help others. I truly think this was a turning point in my life, and as a result, I have refocused some of my future goals. I learned so much about giving to others and the need for volunteers in so many communities.  I will never forget this experience.

I hope to finish college in the next two years and begin my career as a traveling performer. I have begun to look into volunteer organizations as well. I’m not quite sure where my life will take me, but I have high hopes. I want to travel all over the world helping others. Whether it be with my performance as an actress or as a volunteer, I want to touch others' lives. I still have a lot to decide in the next two years, but I have no doubt the right path will present itself.