Leadership ALE Fall Reflection

1. Within the Discipline

In Organic Chemistry I Lab a PowerPoint presentation was
required for the final. Taking the leadership role I assembled my
group and assigned responsibilities to create a professional
product. To accomplish our goal, cohesive teamwork was
required to meet the high expectations of my sophisticated lab
instructor. Due to this experience I have been able to
successfully reach the highly intelligent minds of the individuals
in my hall, who are used to working independently, to come
together to create a positive environment where they co-exist.
My experience taught me how to lead, delegate, and create
unity. I was able to utilize these skills during transition week
when I was working with my residents for the first time.

2. Beyond the Discipline

Art has always been a passion of mine, but as I took a college-
level drawing class we were exposed to multiple perspectives
and allowed freedom to let our spirits wonder. Throughout the
progression of my course I saw how my professor could reach
student sand provoke the free spirit inside them. I used this
open-mindedness to connect to my residents and mirrored his
techniques to connect to each unique personality in my hall and
facilitate connection between each other.

3. Beyond Academics
Research taught me how to learn from my mistakes in lab, and
record results, necessary to remain organized. I learned to allow
myself time to adjust to new advancements and stay informed
on current scientific topics, which will help me in my future
career as a physician. My membership in Alpha Epsilon Delta, a
pre-health professional organization, holds members accountable
for volunteer hours. My experiences representing professional
people with such high skill sets and maintaining the standards of
the organization and that of my fellow members has instills
accountability to balance my responsibilities as a RL with the
responsibilities of a biomedical science student.

4. Interconnectedness
 Being organized provides time for me to have quality interactions
with my residents during my busy schedule. These deep
interconnections within the halls community fortified the bonds
between residents making lasting relationships. From
conversation and interactions we have with one another has
opened, not only mine, but my residents minds to new thoughts
and ideas to further establish understanding of each other and
other cultures.

5. Global Awareness
Coming for a remote rural town in Texas I was raised in an
isolated mentality that did not understand homosexuality, but
being an RL I have the opportunity to be exposed to this culture
and grow in my understand of their lifestyle. This has given me a
new insight about the definition of love that never thought I
would have and this has changed my stereotype of Tarleton as a
rural Texan college to home for a rainbow of people.

6. Broader Implications
With the 2017 election there has been instances where political
views are divided. However in my position as a residential leader
I have learned to remain unbiased in situations where political
tensions are high. I have been able to realize and teach others
that although we may not agree on some political issues that
does not mean we can not still be friends afterwards. The lesson
of respecting each other differences is a huge one that I have
learned in multiple ways from interacting with residents. By
remaining unbiased I have allowed myself to grow in my maturity
and in awareness of dueling perspectives.