Meet the April 2021 Students of the Month
Raenee Patterson
Raenee is in her fifth year at Fort Hays and is working towards a Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. When asked why she chose to become involved in Leadership Programs, Raenee said, “When I came to visit campus six years ago I sat down and talked with Jill Arensdorf, and I could immediately could tell she cared about me as a student. That is what drew me to the department. What kept me here throughout my undergraduate and then graduate career was the continued caring from the faculty and the friends I was able to make with the other students in the program. I have also appreciated how my professors built a relationship with me and always pushed me to be a better student while providing all the support they could.” Her favorite course she has taken was Crisis Leadership with Jill. It connected everything she has been learning for the last five years and challenged her to think in new ways. In her free time, Raenee likes to travel, bake and cook, spend time with her family and friends, and read. She is also a graduate teaching assistant for Communication Studies Program and is interning with the Delta Zeta Foundation. Raenee currently serves as the Panhellenic advisor for the Delta Zeta chapter at Fort Hays, and is looking forward to discovering new hobbies after she graduates this May. Congratulations, Raenee!
Haley Williams
Haley is working towards a Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Haley has lived in Hays for over ten years but is originally from Hazelton, Kansas. She began working part time in the Office of Global Partnerships at Fort Hays in 2018. Here she found a love for working in the field of international education and decided to apply to graduate school. The MPS program aligned with the areas that she wanted to grow in; personally, professionally, and on an educational level. Thus far, Haley’s favorite course of the program has been Theoretical Foundations of Leadership. “This course provided an incredible foundation of knowledge, and forced me to wrestle with my view and vision of leadership.” As she began to understand the connections of leadership and followership theories, as well as positive and negative leader and follower experiences, she was able to better understand her past and envision her future. Outside of school, Haley enjoys spending time with her family. She has two daughters and is very involved in their various activities like 4-H, swimming, and softball. Haley also enjoys connecting with international students on campus, playing with her two dogs, gardening, and working on projects around her house. Congratulations, Haley!
Zhang Zizheng (Olivia)
Originally from Xingyang, Henan, China, Olivia is working towards a Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. Being in her second year at Fort Hays, Olivia’s favorite class thus far has been LDRS 801, the Theoretical Foundation of Leadership. Having taken it with Jeni McRay, Olivia developed a better understanding of how leadership theories can be applied to her own life. Oliva has also learned how to find and develop her own leadership styles which helps set a foundation for her future in the workplace. It also helps her to have a better relationship with others. Olivia said, “I used to be a summer camp director during my undergraduate years in China, and those experiences helped me find my goal for the future. I chose this major because I wanted to work with non-profit organizations after graduation, especially working with orphans.” Olivia has been involved in the Chinese Student and Scholars Association, as well as the International Student Union. Her hobbies outside of school include trying new foods, watching movies, and traveling. Congratulations, Olivia!
Javier Gonzalez
Congratulations, Javier!