Leonard Leadership Scholar Profile: Lindsey Giffin
by Lindsey Giffin, 2005 scholar

The Leonard Leadership Scholars Program has taught me many things over the past two years. I have learned leadership theories and skills in the classroom, received advice from business and community leaders, and become familiarized with the day to day world of business through corporate site visits and externships. Most importantly, however, the scholars program has helped me define the direction of my future.

All my life I have enjoyed volunteering and getting involved in my school and community. I have served as mentor and a tutor and been a part of dance marathon for the past four years. Additionally, this spring I had the opportunity to teach Hispanic immigrants English. As an officer for the Leonard Leadership Scholars program, I have helped organize a number of community efforts including a community playground build, a letter writing effort to soldiers in Iraq, a UGA visit day for Clarke Central students, and a leadership assembly for high school students.

Through these experiences and various self-assessments in the Scholars program I gained a deeper understanding of where my passion lies - in helping others. The support of the ILA faculty and my fellow classmates has motivated me to pursue this passion. Following graduation I will teach English and volunteer in Argentina for a year before returning to the United States to earn a Masters in Public Policy. I hope to put the business knowledge and leadership skills I have acquired in the Terry College and the Scholars program to work in the public sector helping to improve the lives of others.