The Leadership Journey I Didn't Expect

It stretched me beyond comfort, deepened my capacity for empathy and refined my character in ways I never expected. Somewhere between retreats, late-night conversations and moments of both failure and growth, leadership stopped being something I did and became part of who I am becoming.

One of the most impactful parts of this experience has been the opportunity to travel on leadership trips and attend retreats at Hume Lake Christian Camps.

Traveling with people from around the world allowed me to see leadership through a much broader lens. Each person I met carried a unique story shaped by diverse cultures, challenges, dreams and faith journeys. Being able to listen to those stories expanded my understanding of people and reminded me that leadership always begins with empathy. There were some extremely hard things that I had to walk through with others, but those bonds were formed from these trips. We were able to have community and fellowship through shared experiences, team-building challenges, long conversations and moments of reflection that ultimately brought us closer together.

Another favorite memory of mine has been the Casa Pacifica (small university retreat facility) retreats with the peer mentor team. Those retreats gave us space to slow down and invest in one another beyond our leadership roles. We were able to share honestly, be ourselves freely and build trust that strengthened our team dynamic. Getting to know each other more personally made our leadership stronger because we learned how to support one another well. Those moments reinforced that leadership is not about standing alone but growing together.

What I have cherished most is getting to know members of the collegium (a small group of freshmen overseen by a faculty mentor and a peer mentor) more in-depth and becoming someone they can rely on.

Being a dependable presence in someone’s life is both a privilege and a responsibility. Whether through one-on-one conversations, encouragement during stressful seasons or simply being available to listen, I have learned that consistency matters. Leadership is often found in small, everyday moments—showing up, checking in and choosing to care.

I have made plenty of mistakes and have fallen short. There were moments when I felt inadequate or unsure of myself. However, those experiences became some of my greatest teachers. They taught me humility and accountability. They reminded me that growth does not happen without discomfort. Through both successes and failures, I have developed more as an individual and as a future teacher.

As I prepare for a career in education, I recognize how much this experience has shaped the way I want to lead my classroom.

I want my future students to feel seen, heard and valued, just as I have looked to do as a peer mentor. I want to create an environment where growth is encouraged, mistakes are opportunities to learn and every student feels they belong. Leadership at FPU has given me the opportunity to try: to step out of my comfort zone, to take initiative, to fail safely and to grow confidence within a supportive community.

Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the relationships, the retreats and the countless conversations that have shaped me. Leadership at Fresno Pacific has strengthened my character, expanded my worldview and prepared me to lead with compassion and integrity. More than anything, it has taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to serve, to learn and to keep becoming better for the sake of others.