Spotlight: Kelli Shultz

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Name: Kelli Shultz
Major: Marketing Management
Year: Senior (December 2013)
Location (Hometown): Green, OH
Organizations: Pi Sigma Epsilon
Hobbies: Running, spending time with friends and family, my dog Jaxon, and traveling.

Get Connected with Kelli on LinkedIn

1. What drove you to get involved on campus: I wanted to get a well-rounded college experience, network, and gain professional experience—which is why I got involved in organizations through the College of Business. I have gotten to work with some great students, professors, and professionals from the Akron area.
2. Why is being a leader in campus valuable: Becoming a leader amongst your peers allows for you to truly develop team work skills and has prepared me greatly for my post-college endeavors.
3. What qualities make you a leader: Confidence, persistence, and the ability to work with team members to meet collective goals is what I believe makes me a leader. I have a “whatever it takes” attitude with each project I take on.  Also, I am very outgoing and not afraid to share my ideas and take criticism.
4. What are you involved in: I am currently the VP of Marketing for PSE, the co-ed sales and marketing business fraternity on campus. Through PSE, I have led various projects on campus such as “Run the Roo” 5K this spring-set for April 27th.
5. What is your passion: Event planning, project marketing, and entrepreneurial projects. I love seeing the “big picture” but also knowing that every little detail counts to see a project through the ups and downs until it’s successfully completed.
6. What are your goals for the future: When I graduate in December, I hope to begin a career in consumer marketing to get some corporate experience before going into business on my own. Having a business of my own is a dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember.
7. What book has inspired you or taught you the most: Recently, I read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” on financial intelligence and it taught me a lot about the different ways to approach wealth, investments, risks, and money. There was a lot of good advice from the author that anyone could use—highly recommended!
8. Can you tell be the importance of working as a team, being a team leader: Like a puzzle, everyone plays a vital part in a successful team. Utilizing people’s strengths, and building each other up, is the most effective way to reach your goals-both personally and as a team. The best teams that I have worked in were formed from self-motivated, diligent people who could articulate their ideas and visions to the entire team. A team leader must be able to move everyone in the direction of that vision!

Spotlight: Cassy Gouge

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Name: Cassandra Gouge

Major: Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate Education (K- 12)

Year: Junior (Class 2014)

Location (Hometown): Elyria, Ohio

Organizations:  Teaching Our Youth Mentoring Group (Executive President), Habitat for Humanity (Secretary), Zee’s On Campus Grille (Student Manager), Honors College Member, Coca- Cola Scholar, Rotary Scholar, AK Rowdies, Zippy Multi Sport Club, intramural soccer

 Hobbies:  Volunteering to work with kids, Running/ Half Marathons, Soccer, Camping, Water Sports.

 

1. What drove you to get involved on campus: I was always involved in high school and I understood that being a well developed student required me to be a part of many activities that made me well rounded.

 

2. Why is being a leader in campus valuable:  A leader is not just a person who is a master of their trade, has the ability to communicate and organize, or adjust to make deadlines, but is also a person is able to help others reach their goals and deadlines. This is valuable on campus because during my classes and group work I am not only able to help master my skills but aid my peers in achieving their own goals. This is rewarding and allows me to network with others.

 

3. What qualities make you a leader: I have the ability to not only listen to my own ideas, but also use others to come to a conclusion. I understand that others ideas and experiences are important for me to understand in order for me to reach my fullest potential as a leader. I am also very flexible and goal oriented. I understand the importance of being punctual and organized and using these skills in my own studies and life has made me successful.

 
4. What are you involved in:  I am a member of the Honors College, this requires me to complete extra courses as well as complete an honors research project. For my honors research project, we are working with the Leadership Institute to develop an affordable and sustainable water filtration system for Ghana.  I am also involved in Habitat for Humanity. In this organization I am responsible for organizing events, communicating to members, and completing paper work.  In Habitat for Humanity, we develop or rebuilt homes in Summit country for in need families. In addition to Habitat on Campus, I am also a member of the Collegiate Challenge. This requires our Chapter to make a trip at least once a year to another state, and for a week we rebuilt or build homes.  The organization I hold the most to my heart is Teaching Our Youth Mentoring Group. This organization is a mentoring group that links high school mentors with struggling elementary students at Oakwood Elementary in Elyria, Ohio. I started this organization when I was in high school, and still today I drive over an hour to serve as the advisor and executive president. My dream is to one day develop it into a successful non-profit organization.

 

5. What is your passion: My passion is helping others. I love volunteering and most of my extra time is building homes for Habitat for Humanity or developing lesson plans or fundraisers for Teaching Our Youth (T.O.Y) program.

 
6. What are your goals for the future:  My future goals entitle being a member of the Peace Corp, becoming an intervention specialist teacher in an in need school, going to graduate school to become a principle and the my PhD. I would love to be in office and develop laws for the education system.  I would also like to develop Teaching Our Youth into a successful non-profit organization.

 
7. What book has inspired you or taught you the most: The books that have inspired me the most are Pay it Forward and Freedom Writers.

 
8. Can you tell be the importance of working as a team, being a team leader:  As an aspiring intervention specialist, teamwork is the most important component. There are many tasks that individuals must complete. However, if these tasks were divided up amongst other members it can be completed faster as well as gain the experience and expertise of every member. It is important to be a leader and to focus the team on the appropriate tasks as well as offer additional aid to those members that are struggling, because with your help they can become better team members and a leader as well. I believe that a team does not need ONE leader, but everyone can be a leader and make the team stronger.

Spotlight: Jim Tressel

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Name: Jim Tressel
Position: Vice President for Student Engagement– The University of Akron

1. What is your leadership style, or style you most prefer

My leadership style is to first and foremost make sure that ALL of my students know that I care about them. Try to live and lead by two quotes—“Concern for man and his fate must form the chief interest of all technical endeavors…never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations”(Albert Einstein).  “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” (Dr. Lee J. Tressel)
2. What makes a student stand out to you?

A student stands out when his/her focus can be clearly seen….when their passion to learn is obvious in their punctuality, posture, and purposeful questions. When it is apparent that they like to compete.
3. How did you get to where you are today?

Good fortune…..good mentors….good work ethic…genuine concern for the group.
4. Why teaching?

Watched my Dad have such a profound impact on young people…..simply wanted to try to do the same.
5. Do you have a dream job, or are you in your dream job?

In my dream job here at UA. Have always tried to live by the motto: “Paradise is where I am.”
6. What is your daily schedule like? (I find most successful people wake up between 4:30-5:00am

Wake up at 5:01 am…..spend first 30 minutes of the day in “quiet time”…..head to campus to serve by 6:30am.
7. What book has inspired you or taught you the most, what book do you recommend students to read?

The Bible by far has taught me the most.  An easy read for students of all ages:  Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.
8. When it comes to networking, what do you recommend students to do (skills, conversation starters, what is the importance)

My belief is that you are most influenced by what you read and who you associate with……observe, communicate, and care…the people will be obvious that are the right ones to be around.

Spotlight: Kate Kosar

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Kate

 

Name: Katelyn Kosar
Major: Marketing Management
Year: Freshman
Location (Hometown): Madison OH
Organizations: Honors Business Group and College of Business Ambassadors
Hobbies: Working out, Reading, Being with friends

1. What drove you to get involved on campus:

I was really involved in high school and I think it is important to met new people and make connections.

2. Why is being a leader in campus valuable:

Being a leader here will help me learn how to be a leader later in life.

3. What qualities make you a leader:

I am very organized and reliable. I like to take charge and get things done.

4. What are you involved in:

I am an Honors Student here at the university. I joined Honors Business Group as a way to make friends with people from my major. I also became an ambassador for the CBA because I love to talk to students and tell them about my experience so far.

5. What is your passion:

I want to organize everything. I just went through and wrote everything I need to do on my new calendar and it just gives me such a good feeling to organize my thoughts. I love helping others put things together and make sense of a mess.

6. What are your goals for the future:

First I would like to graduate college in three and a half years. During my journey I would like to do a couple of internships to network and expand my horizons. Overall my goal is to become an event planner.

7. What book has inspired you or taught you the most:

The book “To Kill a Mockingbird” taught me to always stand up for what I believe is right.

8. Can you tell be the importance of working as a team, being a team leader: 

Working as a team is incredibly important because it is something I will do for the rest of my life, in my job and at home. Being a team leader is important because every team needs someone to look up to and make decisions. Without leaders nothing could get accomplished.

Spotlight: Brittany Eberts

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BrittanySpotlight: Brittany Eberts

Name: Brittany Eberts (soon to be Brittany Riley)!

Position: Administrative Assistant, Institute of Leadership Advancement

Hometown: North Canton, OH

1. What is your leadership style, or style you most prefer?

I really enjoy helping people realize and achieve their goals, so I would have to say  mentoring.

2. What makes a student stand out to you? 

A good personality.

3. How did you get to where you are today?

Persistence and not being afraid of failure, that’s how you learn.

4. Do you have a dream job, or are you in your dream job?

I’m one of those people who still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I have daydreams about owning my own bakery, or starting a non-profit. My dreams change on a daily basis, it just depends what mood I am in. Right now I feel I have found my calling and I am loving every minute.

5. What is your daily schedule like? (I find most successful people wake up between 4:30-5:00am)

Ask anyone who really knows me and they will tell you how much I love to sleep. Most weekends I sleep in until 9 or 9:30. What can I say? I love my bed. During the week I usually am woken up at 5:30am by my two darling cats. I get ready for work and arrive between 8 – 8:30. I head home around 4pm, cook dinner by 6, and either work on craft projects or relax in front of the tv. During the summer I tend to stay a little more active after work, but when it starts to get colder out, I find myself hibernating.

6. What book has inspired you or taught you the most, what book do you recommend students to read?

I have to admit, I love to read. I am usually always reading something. There are so many great books out there but two that really stick out in my mind are “Catcher in the Rye” and “P.S. I Love You”.  I was a junior in High School when I read “Cather in the Rye” by JD Salinger for an English class. I remember sitting in class during a silent reading period and reading the chapter where the main character Holden Caulfield talks about catching children as they are jumping through a field of rye. I blurted out in front of the whole class “I get it! I totally understand this book!”. The book had finally clicked for me at that moment, and I completely identified with Holden. Another book that I absolutely love is “P.S. I Love You” by Cecelia Ahern. It is one of my all-time favorites, one that I read on a yearly basis. The emotional journey that the book takes you on is incredible, and even though it is sad it is well worth reading.
7. When it comes to networking, what do you recommend students to do (skills, conversation starters, what is the importance)?

I think confidence is key when you are networking. If you are at an event and are hiding in the corner, not talking to anyone then you are never going to get anywhere. You need to show up with the mindset that this is important to you, have good eye contact, and don’t be afraid to walk up to someone and introduce yourself.

Spotlight: Dr. Krovi CBA Dean

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Spotlight: Dr. Ravi Krovi

Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Akron

 

1.   What is your leadership style, or style you most prefer?

I prefer an engaged and collaborative approach to problem solving.   My relationship with students, alumni, business leaders, staff, faculty, and UA/CBA leadership is central to our success.  For such a collaborative engagement to succeed, there are two keys:  first, there has to be recognition of the common agenda and second, the relationship has to be driven by trust and mutual respect.

2.   What makes a student stand out to you?

In general, I look for someone who is passionate about their discipline and evidence of effort or work ethic.   Some of my best students (and now high achieving alumni) were more focused on developing their knowledge base as opposed to an explicit concern about grades.  I think this develops life long learning – the best leaders learn from successes and failures. Ambition is also critical.   I look to see if there is evidence of goal setting including a clear plan for degree completion and post graduation outcomes.

3.   How did you get to where you are today?

I have been fortunate to have good mentors throughout which made it easier for me to focus on needed areas of improvement.  Self awareness coupled with feedback systems is essential for personal and professional development.  I also have a great support system in my family – this has always offered a good perspective and has kept me grounded.

4.   Why teaching?

The opportunity to develop students! I also had some great teachers during my own education which reinforced my decision.

5.   Do you have a dream job, or are you in your dream job?

My dream job would be to be the point guard for the Cavaliers.  Unfortunately – I possess neither the talent nor the experience! Seriously – being the Dean is the best job I have ever had.   Sure – I have ambitions.   But my philosophy is to be present in the moment and be the best in my current situation.

6.   What is your daily schedule like? (I find most successful people wake up between 4:30-5:00am)

4.30 am is way too early for me!    I am usually up at 6am – scan some email – and go to  the local gym for some pick up basketball.   I am not athletic by any stretch but I enjoy this time of the day because it is essentially my time.   I am at work 8ish and spend most of the next hour chatting with our staff.  Typically, I will have about 5-7 meetings a day.   I try to find quiet time in the interim to complete various projects.   There is always some work creep at home although I intentionally seek some downtime activities by the end of the day.    I will usually spend some time on Sunday evenings preparing for upcoming meetings.

7.  What book has inspired you or taught you the most, what book do you recommend students to read?

I have several favorites but I think one message which is truly inspirational for students is Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University.    I would also recommend that every student consider reading ‘The Start up of YOU’ by Reid Hoffman.   The basic message of the book is that we must all take charge and act as entrepreneurs or CEO’s of our careers to successfully compete in this global economy.   Like a startup company, we have to take intelligent risks and invest in ourselves.

8. When it comes to networking, what do you recommend students to do (skills, conversation starters, what is the importance)?

Read and be informed.  This will develop a broader awareness so you can pick up on any conversation.   Don’t be intimidated to talk.   If you are in a one on one setting – explain your purpose, seek advice / counsel but most important – listen.   If possible, end with a takeaway and be sure to follow up with a note.

 

HALO

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This past Sunday the Leadership Consultants assisted the HALO Foundation of the Akron area in moving offices! The HALO Foundation does work with 93 cents for flight 93 along with many others. The Leadership Consultants appreciate the offer of being asked to assist with the move and are grateful for the connections made.

It was a great opportunity to engage with professional leaders in the area and also give back to the community. We had the chance to rummage through everything from boxes of shirts, books, to paintings!

Great thanks go to those that participated in the move Lexi Pappadakes, Zach Betscher, Courtney Ou, Andria Kaplan, and Kate Kosar!

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