Meet the December 2019 Students of the Month
ON-CAMPUS STUDENT: RILEY BLAGG
Riley Blagg, originally from Strasburg, Colorado, is a junior in the nursing program and is working towards a minor in leadership studies. Because he finished his certificate in leadership studies during a prior semester, his current goal is to complete his BSN and work as a nurse. Riley decided to become involved in leadership studies when Dr. Seth Kastle spoke as a guest speaker to his wellness class about what the department had to offer. He registered for the courses Introduction to Leadership Concepts and Introduction to Leadership Behaviors right away, and he finished his certificate in two semesters. Riley enjoyed the courses so much that he decided to continue to complete a minor. His favorite leadership class has been Fieldwork in Leadership Studies because it allowed him to take concepts learned in previous classes and apply them to the real world. Not only did it allow for deeper interactions with his classmates and professors, but it also allowed him to enact memorable and actual change within the Hays community. When he has time, Riley still enjoys attending meetings for the Gamer’s Guild Cross Generational Connection, which was part of his Leadership 310 project. Outside of school, Riley enjoys reading and writing, going on walks, fishing, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family. Congratulations, Riley!
VIRTUAL STUDENT: MARIAM SEARS
Mariam Sears is a senior from Calhan, Colorado, majoring in Organizational Leadership and Medical Diagnostic Imaging. Through Fort Hays, she is involved in many organizations; Fort Hays Honor Society Mortar Board, Honors College, and Study Abroad, and is an advisor for Alpha Gamma Delta. When asked why she became involved in the department, she said, “I saw a great opportunity for growth in the Organizational Leadership program because of the people-centered perspective on the topics covered. Regardless of where I end up after University, applying the skills I’ve gained from this program will be easy. The people involved with Leadership Programs, from teachers to community partners and guest speakers, each have a unique perspective and an eagerness to build up their students.” Mariam could not pick just one favorite leadership course. She enjoyed Principles of Personal Development because the conversations throughout the semester were encouraging, personally revealing, and made her feel like a leadership student for the first time. She also enjoyed Leadership and Team Dynamics because she could immediately apply her learned skills. Finally, Fieldwork in Leadership Studies is another favorite because working hands-on with a community member in a meaningful way taught her more than listening in a classroom or reading ever could. Mariam’s hobbies include traveling, painting, photography, creative writing, and collecting and caring for “too many” plants. Congratulations, Mariam!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT: SHELDON (MINHAO DONG)
Originally from Anyang Henan, China, Sheldon is in his junior year attending Sias University. While taking Organizational Leadership courses, he is majoring in Business Administration. After he graduates, Sheldon is planning on taking classes related to architecture and hopes to work with a construction company or the Infrastructure Bureau of Building Authority in China. Sheldon is involved in the Philosophy Club and Culture Team Ambassadors. He has also interned with the Makerspace Company of Incubation of Sias University, where he worked on administrative issues within various businesses on campus. Sheldon chose to become involved in leadership because it teaches him one-of-a-kind administration techniques. Leadership analyzes an individual’s personality, thoughts, and behaviors and looks at a broader scale of an organization’s characteristics, potential, and actions. Leadership is relatable to many academic and cultural areas. Thus far, Sheldon’s favorite leadership course has been Organizational Leadership because he enjoys breaking down organizational issues using the reframing mental model, which includes four frames; structural, human resources, political, and symbolic. He said, “This class shows me how the combined channel could figure out the problem about organizations concerning these four frames or the solution being built to one of these four no matter what.” Sheldon enjoys drawing pictures and blueprints to design clothing and buildings, watching and critiquing films, and learning new things from different perspectives. Congratulations, Sheldon!