The alarm rang at 6 o’clock, marking the start of the day. My first meeting began at 7:30 a.m., with two university vice presidents, two faculty members, the director of Collins Memorial Library, and the head of the Office of Information Services. As a student on this predominately executive-level committee, I represent my peers’ voices. I look out for the best interests of students and attempt to make decisions that will make both short and long-term positive impacts.

Now in my senior year, I find that much of my time is consumed by such gathering of minds. It is rewarding that as an undergraduate I am able to play a key role in the decision-making process of how this university is managed.  Administrators here listen and respond.

My leadership roles on campus began early in my career at UPS. As a member of the school’s Business Leadership Program, I have been educated in a broad liberal arts business curriculum. Through the direction of experienced professors I am able to make use of my classroom-based knowledge in a hands-on way—a reassuring endeavor as I seek post-education jobs during my senior year.

The Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound—better known as ASUPS—is the leading organization for cultivating leadership talents. For more than 100 years, ASUPS has served and promoted student interests through various government, club, media, and programming positions. One of the strongest and most autonomous student governments among liberal arts colleges in the country, ASUPS involves hundreds of people and serves the entire undergraduate population at Puget Sound.

This year I’m an executive officer of the Associated Students. As the director of Technology Services, I have been charged with the task of providing ASUPS with the vision and support for its organizational technology. I was appointed by the student body president and vice president. It is a new job, not only to me but also to the association. Through comradeship and a dedication to constant improvement, I have worked alongside my fellow executives, serving the students of UPS. We lead an organization that has enriched the campus experience ever since our university was established. I follow a long heritage of leaders at Puget Sound and honor the experiences that my work has provided me.

Over the years my talents have been recognized not only through grades, but, more important, by way of the service that I have provided to the university. It is the means through which I give back to very the institution that has provided me with so much.