Leadership Takeaways

Melany Atkins

• Being a leader requires constant development of new skills and integrating of new technology.
• Overcoming adversity makes us stronger leaders, even if the adversity comes from AI.
• Leaders need data to make decisions, and AI helps us streamline that data.




Stephanie Ballard-Conrad

A Morgantown native, Stephanie emphasized that “there are amazing opportunities and lessons to be learned wherever you are planted.”

Garrett Burgess

Cpt. Burgess described how comparison is the thief of joy - i.e., if you compare your status to others, the result may beenvy and unhappiness. Throughout, he discussed the core principals of his Air Force Leadership, with integrity being #1.

Go ROAMING ™:

• You’re probably doing too much… STOP!
• Don’t “resume” your college experience away.
• Comparison is the spoil of joy, someone’s victory is not your loss.
• Go to office hours, get to know your professors as people and scholars, not gods.
• Stay away from frat row… lol, but seriously.
• Be receptive to the “plan” going astray. It always does…




Emily Calandrelli

Emily encouraged the PSAs to work closely with the ASPIRE Office, stating, “It will be your best resource.” Although she was a Truman Scholar in her junior year, 2008, she did not receive the Goldwater Scholarship. When she returned to ASPIRE and asked for feedback, she learned that her application showed that she was a good team member of research, but that she was not identified as a leader. In her senior year, she became the leader of her research team and started her own research project; she received the Goldwater Scholarship in 2009.

Daniel Carrier

• The most powerful leadership tool is your own personal example. -- John Wooden
• No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
• If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. -- African proverb

Amy Cashin

When discussing mental health and comparing the ups, downs, and stress between athletics and leadership, it is important to practice self-kindness and to treat yourselves as you would treat your friends.


Brian Caveney

It is critically important to take advantage of opportunities that arise and to be an effective communicator.


Matt Delligatti

Remember the importance of discretion in posting on social media.

Mike DeFede

• Join a rocket ship
• Remember that people are part of the job
• Focus on their strengths
• Avoid chasing money

Chris Drescher

Chris engaged the PSAs in a meaningful discussion about microaggression, intentional and unintentional, and possible responses/reactions.

John Estep

In a vibrant presentation titled “Fly Fishing Lessons in Leadership,” and with photos of Woodburn Hall and Mountaineer Field proudly displayed on the walls behind him, John humorously compared lessons he has learned through fly fishing to professional leadership scenarios and personal experiences.

Jess Harlee

Jess reminded the PSAs about the importance of passion in whatever leadership journey they take. Although she graduated from WVU with a degree in industrial engineering and worked in management consulting with Connors Group, she realized that her passion still revolved around athletics. Therefore, she attended the University of Oregon to pursue an MBA in Sports Business. Jess now continues to be a positive influence on the collegiate journey of student-athletes as she helps them achieve their life ambitions.

Emma Harrison

Emma discussed the benefits of taking a gap year after graduation. A Truman Scholar in 2018 and heavily involved in the West Virginia Innocence Project as an undergraduate student, Harrison moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, immediately after graduation to work in the public defender’s office. The experience solidified her decision to attend law school. Harrison emphasized satisfaction that she already has had experience with the criminal justice system, unlike most first-year law students who have a theoretical concept of what it means to be an attorney.


Elizabeth (Liz) Gulick Henderson

Liz is the host of the popular Tough Love for Moms Podcast, in which she “empowers and equips Moms.” In her leadership presentation titled "Who will you become?" she highlighted the difference between “adopting” (following an idea or attitude) and “adapting” (adjusting to an idea or attitude). She emphasized that "All of the plans that you have and accomplishments that you achieve during your life are what the world sees, but what matters is what you cultivate in yourself along the way -- especially when life throws you curve balls."




Trevor Kiess

• Learn to forgive.
• Keep working. You never know how close you may be to "making it."
• Never forget your "why."
• Be flexible.




Caroline Leadmon

A patent attorney, Caroline stressed the following:

• Take advantage of any opportunity you think sounds exciting.
• Building your professional brand, even as early as your freshman and sophomore years of college, can set you up for success as you transition into your early career.
• Know the value of the WVU network - WVU alum are doing BIG things. Speak highly of your school and the state of West Virginia, always.
• Don't be afraid to switch paths - even if it is intimidating.
  
  
  

Giana Loretta

In a presentation titled, “The Incredible Wisdom and Sage Advice from Someone Who Has it All Figured Out at Age 22,” Giana offered the following advice.  

• You are the only person who can figure out what you want.
• The only way to figure out what you want is to try new things.
• Never stop trying new things. Throw yourself into the world and experience everything you can.
• Do things that scare you. Take (calculated) risks. Being out of your comfort zone build resilience.
• Sometimes, having no plan is the best plan. This is when you are most open to different opportunities.
• When you know what you want, pursue it with everything you have in you.
• Fortune favors the bold.
• If you continue to put yourself out there, what’s meant for you will come to you.
• Never forget where you came from, but do not feel guilty about outgrowing people or places.

Mary Bess Marantz


“You’re here and you have scars. You’re here and you have dirt in your story. You’re here and you’re afraid both of those things disqualify you before you even start. But you have a place here. And your story already matters.”





Alanna Markle

Quoting Yogi Berra, “The future ain’t what it used to be...” Follow these three guideposts for good leadership:

• Reframe uncertainty.
• See the futures (multiple scenarios.
• Be a good ancestor…i.e., there are things we can do today to make the world better.

Beth Minchau

Do not underestimate the importance of self-compassion. It includes mindfulness, self-kindness, and connectedness.






Victoria Reiser

It is especially important to cope with compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion resulting from caring for patients experiencing various degrees of suffering.

Steve Robison

Based on his experience interacting with international multicultural teams, Steve offered these four leadership suggestions to the WVU Presidential Student Ambassadors:

• Build your communication skill.
• Be receptive to your own mistakes. Remember that nothing is guaranteed.
• Be a safe space for others.
• Celebrate the joy of diversity. Do your best.




Stephanie Taylor

Building and valuing one’s team is of utmost importance.

Ginny Thrasher

• Focus!
• Remember that nothing is guaranteed.
• Prepare.
• Do your best.

Ann Zaniewski

You always need a mentor…and so do others. Be a mentor. Accessibility isn’t the key to mentoring. Good mentors and leaders ask questions and listen.

• Be a good mentee. Reflect on your needs, your areas for growth, and self-advocate.
• Build a network.
• Overcome failure.
• Deal with stress.
• Improve academic skills.

Career Tips and Tricks

• Keep a log of your accomplishments (reviews, promotions, reports).
• Talk to your mentors about what you want to do, how you want to grow (spend time reflecting and knowing yourself).
• Build strong teams (take care of each other, help each other grow).