Course: SPEA-V203 - The Call to Public Service
Role: Team Chair | Spring 2025

This project marked a defining moment in my leadership development. As Chair of Indy Food Fighters, I led a team partnership with Gleaners Food Bank to address food insecurity across Indianapolis. We designed a group charter, coordinated volunteer logistics, and delivered a final presentation that our instructor requested to use as a model for future classes.

The experience tested both organizational and interpersonal leadership. When one teammate was impacted by the Indy tornadoes and another fell ill before our presentation, I adapted quickly, restructuring responsibilities and meeting one-on-one to ensure everyone felt supported. These challenges reinforced my belief that leadership is about presence, empathy, and trust, not authority.

This artifact connects directly to the COLS outcome Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics and values of public service and the IU Indianapolis Profile of a Community Contributor, as I practiced ethical responsibility and servant leadership in action. The project reminded me that true leadership begins with proximity; showing up for others when it matters most.