As a high school senior, I walked into the Department of Leadership Studies without an appointment scheduled. Rather than turning me away, Dr. Jill Arensdorf and Dr. Christie Brungardt took time out of their busy schedules to discuss the discipline of leadership studies. That same day I was enrolled as an Organizational Leadership major, picked out my freshman classes and earned a spot in the department's learning community: L3: Live. Learn. Lead. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I participated in a short-term study abroad experience in London, England, I served as a Fort Hays State University VIP ambassador, acted as the Vice President of the Fort Hays State University Mortar Board – Gold Cord Chapter, contributed to campus volunteer initiatives, was a member of the concert choir and Fort Hays Singers, sang in a private vocal studio, participated in opera productions, assisted in the execution of the 2019 Association of Leadership Educators (ALE) Conference, and was a Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Program (VALUE) Honors Scholar. Needless to say, each of these activities that I was fortunate to be a part of has made an impact on my character and shaped me into who I am today.

Fort Hays State University has provided me with an ample amount of amazing opportunities in my time as an undergraduate student. In December 2020, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership with certificates in Leadership Studies and Global Leadership Studies and started my professional career as a Business Development Specialist at CivicPlus located in Manhattan, Kansas. As a result of my positive experiences in the Department of Leadership Studies undergraduate program, my choice was clear when it came to choosing a school and program to continue my education online.

In January 2021, I began to pursue a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University. At a high level, this degree concentrates on how leaders can improve organizational performance, establish research and analytical skills, and focus on personal and professional development. By pursuing a second degree in an interdisciplinary field, I prepared to narrow my focus to a context-specific component of leadership that would support me in future endeavors. I elected to take topical leadership and communication courses focused on crisis and conflict offered intentionally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that struck globally in 2020. My inspiration to explore crisis leadership stems from the course material that was addressed such as the perception, categorization of taxonomies, competencies, and behaviors of leaders in crises. Although a new area of scholarship, I appreciate exploring other components of crisis leadership such as prevention, sustainability, and communication. As you review the components of this portfolio, you will see pieces of this new leadership context weaved throughout each learning objective. At minimum, my hope is that you are able to capture my journey through this exceptional program and grasp an understanding of my passion for different leadership theories and concepts.