The following artifacts highlight the progress I've made throughout my collegiate experience, both in academics and extracurriculars, that have further developed my skills as a leader. 

I've upheld two positions within my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega (AXO), which were VP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and VP Chapter Relations and Standards. These positions taught me that honesty and accountability are essential character traits found in a great leader.

"These positions taught me that honesty and accountability are essential character traits found in a great leader."

Additionally, I've upheld an internship for Dr. Michelle Miller for two years where I conducted qualitative interviews with mothers who are immediately postpartum which has taught me how trauma-informed communication is a necessity when becoming a leader in the medical field.

Lastly, I've upheld a retail sales associate position at Fabletics for two years where I conducted friendly sales-related conversations with each customer who enters the store. From this experience, I've learned that a great sales leader advocates not only for the business, but also themselves.

Within my sorority, members are provided the opportunity to run for an executive board position which involves giving a speech and earning majority vote across the other members. I had the privilege of serving my chapter for two years, first as VP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the second as VP Chapter Relations and Standards. 

Both of these positions sit on the standards board and help facilitate difficult conversations as it pertains to members violating chapter bylaws in addition to recognizing positive behavior. Through these positions, I learned how to confront members about difficult topics such as, substance use, mental health, and social media representation. While initially, I was not a confrontational person, these positions taught me that confrontation is not a negative aspect of leadership, but rather a necessary one.

"Both of these positions sit on the standards board and help facilitate difficult conversations as it pertains to members violating chapter bylaws in addition to recognizing positive behavior."

This artifact to the left is a presentation I made to introduce the Chapter Relations and Standards Board (CRSB) to the sorority and expectations regarding posts on every social media platform. It was a intimidating to present this, but it was the first step I took in overcoming my fear of confrontation, ultimately making me a better leader!

I've also had the privilege of having an internship under Dr. Michelle Miller through the IU School of Medicine: Department of Psychiatry for two years now. First, I participated in the Life Health Sciences Program (LHSI) and then transitioned to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where I upheld the title of senior research assistant.

Through this internship, I overcame many challenges both professionally and personally which I faced with perserverance. At first, it was difficult to learn how to approach patients, especially women who have just given birth, and ask them to participate in a research study. However, with significant training and practice I developed the skill of trauma-informed communication which allowed me to exemplify my compassion, a necessary skill for a leader.

"Through this internship, I've overcome many challenges both professionally and personally which I've faced with perserverance."

The flyer to the left is an artifact I made for the LHSI program that summarizes the purpose of the research study I work on and identifies the greater impact that our work has on the OB/GYN field. By developing my trauma-informed communication skills, I was able to design this flyer with ease and it depicts my growth in discussing trauma-related research by leading with compassion. 

Throughout my time in these three positions, I've learned what I feel to be the three key traits of a leader which are compassion, customer service, and confrontation. 

My time in research has taught me that kindness speaks louder than rigidity. Additionally, my time as VP CRS in my sorority taught me that confrontation doesn't have to be a negative thing, rather it's necessary in facilitating difficult conversations. Lastly, my time as a sales associate for Fabletics taught me that customer service is much more than just customer satisfaction, but rather self-advocacy, honesty, and representation of oneself and the business as a whole.

Overall, the skills gained from these positions have allowed me to become a true and consistent leader. I've summarized them in a diagram to the left. To conclude, I feel ready to implement these skills into my future career, as I become an OB/GYN where compassion, confrontation, and customer service are not only important, but necessary for success in the field.