LeADERS Program

My Experience

My LeADERS experiences at Old Dominion University really helped me grow as a communicator and leader in different ways. Across all three courses, communication was a major theme, whether that meant working with others, understanding different perspectives, or expressing ideas clearly and professionally. In CPD 412: Leadership and Law, I learned how important attention to detail is, especially when dealing with legal topics, policies, and ethical situations where clear communication matters. CPD 408: Global Leadership helped me think more about how leadership and communication can look different across cultures and environments. IDS 300W: Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts pushed me to strengthen my writing and critical thinking skills by connecting ideas from different areas of study. Overall, these experiences helped me become more thoughtful and intentional in the way I communicate and lead.

What LeADERS Meant to Me

To me, the LeADERS program at Old Dominion University was more than just something to add to my degree. It became a way for me to connect my experiences in school to my everyday life and better understand the kind of person, professional, and leader I want to be. LeADERS, which stands for Learning through Active Discovery, Engagement, Reflection, and Showcase, pushed me to think beyond simply completing assignments and instead reflect on how each experience was shaping me both academically and personally.

One of the biggest themes that connected all of my LeADERS experiences was communication. Before these experiences, I mostly thought of communication as simply speaking clearly or getting my point across, but I learned that effective communication is also about listening with intention, understanding different perspectives, and being thoughtful in how you respond to others. That mindset has genuinely impacted my day-to-day life. In my friendships, I’ve become more intentional about listening to understand instead of listening just to respond. I’ve learned how important patience, empathy, and attention to detail are when building meaningful relationships and working through challenges with others.

I’ve also carried these lessons into my role as a coworker. Through courses like CPD 412: Leadership and Law, I learned how important accuracy, professionalism, and attention to detail are, especially when discussing policies, ethics, and decision-making. That course reinforced the idea that communication affects trust and accountability, and it taught me to approach situations more carefully and thoughtfully. CPD 408: Global Leadership expanded my perspective even more by showing me how leadership and communication can look different depending on people’s backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. One of the most important things I took away from that experience was that leadership is not tied to a title. I learned that you can lead from wherever you are by setting an example, supporting others, and making a positive impact in the spaces around you.

Outside of school and work, these experiences have also helped me grow as a mother. I’ve become more patient and more aware of the importance of meeting my son where he is instead of expecting immediate understanding or perfection. LeADERS helped me realize that leadership often looks like consistency, patience, and creating a supportive environment for others to grow. That perspective has changed the way I communicate at home just as much as it has in professional settings.

Looking back, LeADERS helped me connect all of these experiences together in a meaningful way. It strengthened my confidence, communication skills, and ability to reflect on how I interact with others. More than anything, it taught me that leadership is something you practice every day in the way you support people, communicate with intention, and show up for others in every role you have.