Something Bigger

Transcript

Leadership is often about serving others and that’s something Valpo students strongly believe in. Take Lem, a junior enrolled in an early entry program to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. He’s found his calling at Valpo as a Caps fellow and is interning for a nonprofit organization. Lem is able to make an impact in an area he’s truly passionate about. Lem, it’s time for you to take the mic.

– Alright, thanks for the introduction, Alex. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for serving others and mother used to tell me that that was my calling in life. And as a first generation college student, I didn’t know the first thing about choosing a college, but I knew I had to attend a school that value service. Valpo a big focus on service and philanthropy, provide students with countless opportunities to serve. Each year Valpo students dedicate more than 247,000 hours to community outreach and service learning initiatives. One initiative is the Caps Fellowship Program hosted by the Institute of Leadership and Service. ILS is dedicated to preparing students for lives of leadership and service shaped around a sense of color. Last year, as a Caps fellow, I got the amazing opportunity to intern for a nonprofit organization. There I was able to take lead of some of the most substantial initiatives to address healthcare disparities and systematic racism in my community. Today, I’m the president of Alpha Phi Omega, better known as APO. APO is a national co-ed service fraternity that focuses on leadership, friendship and service. And APO members are provided with opportunities to develop leadership skills through volunteering on campus, within their communities or within the fraternity. After I graduate, I plan to serve underrepresented minority communities in Chicago to eliminate healthcare disparities and ultimately improve the health care system. The College of Nursing and Health Professions has prepared me with this rigorous health care courses and a plethora of leadership and service experience. Valparaiso University is not only committed to allowing students to find their true purpose and calling, also to provide a space designated for students to act on it within. And that’s why I love this university. Back to you, Alex.

– It’s great to see that Valpo has given you such a foundation for a life of service, Lem. From everything you’re already accomplishing, we know you’re gonna go on to make a difference in the world. You’re showing everyone that at Valpo, you’re truly part of something bigger and that’s amazing