Applicant Essay Reviews:

I spent most of life thinking I was doing my part by simply donating money to the animal shelters, used goods to Goodwill, and supporting multiple Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angels each year.

Three and half years ago that changed when I began working for a non-profit. What I realized is that non-profits exist to aid a population being underserved by other institutions. While the tangible (money, donations, etc.) is needed, so is intangible service actions.

In addition to working in a non-profit, I am currently serving a 2-year term as our Rose City SHRM Chapter President, after a 2-year term as President-Elect. I will continue to serve on the board as Former President once my current term expires in 2028.

I am in a chapter of my life where I have the bandwidth to serve. My MS-Strategic HR wrapped up a few weeks ago (graduation was May 15th) and now I find myself with a new skillset, time and a need to give back in whatever area calls to me.

I expect to utilize my Leadership Tyler experience in various ways. As a lifelong learner, I anticipate strengthening my leadership skills, especially in communication and networking. This will aid not only my professional and personal connections but introduce me to new diverse group of people.

I am bringing 25 years of progressive HR experience with a customer service mindset to the Leadership Tyler class. This includes not only the day-to-day operations but conflict resolution, strategic problem solving and executive coaching.

Tyler is evolving. I remember visiting Tyler during my undergraduate days at SFASU back in the 90s. The growth in the last 30 years is so prevalent, especially down 69S. With any growing area there comes challenges. like traffic, homelessness, public services at capacity and generally the population outgrowing the existing infrastructure.

I have 2 passions (besides my family and friends). 1) Animals, dog in particular 2) Knowledge., specifically reading. While I joke with my husband if we ever win the lottery, I would open a no kill shelter. However, I currently do not have the resources so on to my next passion - knowledge.

Tyler is approximately 58 sq miles with one public library. This can limit certain groups access to a library. I have been researching Little Free Libraries, and it appear there are 16 within Loop 323, including 7 of Tyler's parks. There are a few south of the loop and none north of the loop. These Little Free Libraries are run by volunteer aka as Stewarts of their library. I would like to 1) help organize a way for these Stewarts to help each other 2) expand the product available such as Little Free Library and General Exchange to include crafting supplies, school supplies, and even non-perishable food items,

There was a time when leadership wanted to make a change to a furlough list after legal had signed off on it. As I was responsible for executing the furlough I questioned this decision. When I was told not to question it, to just do it. I walked out of the meeting, emailed my boss what he needed to complete the task, and left. Only after much discussion over several days in which it was made clear I would not be altering the furlough list did I return.

I would define Civic/Community involvement as one participating in activities, organizations or initiatives that support, improve and positively impact the community and society as a whole. It requires a person's commitment to service, leadership, volunteerism and social responsibility. I am fully committed to giving back to the community, my passion is with children, I serve as a teacher in Children's Church, work alongside of my Link sisters working in the community and abroad orchestrating food drives, voters registration, celebrating cultures during International Week. Presently, I serve as International Facet chair with the Links focused on helping Jamaica's elementary and high schools get clean water restored on their campus after the Hurricane in 2025. I am also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority supporting educational, leadership and community service initiatives. I plan to continue serving in these organizations as well as supporting the Food Banks initiatives.

I plan to utilize my Leadership Tyler experience to strengthen my leadership skills, expand community partnerships, and deepen my understanding of the opportunities and challenges impacting the Tyler and East Texas communities. As the Chief Human Resources Officer for the East Texas Food Bank, I am passionate about servant leadership, workforce development, and community engagement. I believe Leadership Tyler will provide valuable opportunities to collaborate with civic, nonprofit, and business leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in our region.

The experience will also help me continue building strategic relationships that support both the East Texas Food Bank and the broader community. I plan to apply what I learn toward expanding leadership development initiatives through ETFB University, our internal succession planning and leadership development program designed to prepare future leaders within the organization.

The unique qualities I bring to Leadership Tyler include over 25 years of Human Resources leadership experience, a collaborative leadership style focused on communication, mentorship, inclusion, and organizational growth. I look forward to contributing and learning from a diverse group of leaders dedicated to serving the community.

One opportunity for positive change in the Tyler and Smith County area is increasing community engagement through cultural arts, civic involvement, and leadership opportunities for women. I believe our community would benefit from more cultural festivals, art exhibits, live music, theater productions, and family-centered events that bring people together while celebrating the diversity and creativity within East Texas. These events not only strengthen community relationships, but also support tourism, local businesses, and economic growth.

I also see an opportunity to increase voter registration awareness and encourage more women to become actively involved in leadership and civic engagement. Women bring valuable perspectives and collaboration to community leadership, and increasing female involvement in boards, nonprofits, and local initiatives can create a stronger and more inclusive community.

Throughout my career in Human Resources, especially during my 11 years working in the oil and gas industry, I have faced situations where I felt pressure to compromise my personal and professional integrity. One situation that stands out involved pressure to move forward with disciplinary action against an employee before a full investigation had been completed. Leadership wanted the issue resolved quickly due to operational demands, but I knew it was important to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with company policy and employment laws. As an HR professional, I understood that making a rushed decision without proper documentation and review could negatively impact the employee, damage trust, and expose the organization to legal risk.

I handled the situation by remaining professional and standing firm in my responsibility to conduct a complete and objective investigation. I gathered all necessary documentation, spoke with the appropriate individuals involved, and communicated the importance of due process to leadership. Although the situation was uncomfortable at times, I focused on protecting both the organization and the employee by ensuring the decision was fair and supported by facts.

To me, community involvement means giving your time or resources to support and improve your community. I believe the most effective involvement comes from choosing a few initiatives you’re passionate about and fully investing in them.
I recently joined the Heart of Tyler board and expect to stay involved for years to come. With a background in commercial real estate and having moved to Tyler from Dallas, I’ve naturally gravitated toward downtown development. I believe supporting downtown businesses and projects is essential to attracting both businesses and residents to the city.
Youth sports have also always been a passion of mine. In the coming years, I hope to volunteer with organizations like i9 Sports to coach and mentor children. I believe sports teach valuable lessons such as teamwork, respect, determination, and integrity.
Lastly, having an uncle with special needs, I’ve seen the importance of supporting adults with disabilities and helping them find purpose within their communities. I hope to become involved with organizations like Achieving Dreams to help individuals develop skills and pursue their goals.
While these will be my primary focuses, I also plan to stay engaged through Chamber and TEDC events, charitable giving, and volunteer opportunities as they arise.

My goal in participating in Leadership Tyler is to deepen my understanding of the people, industries, and organizations that shape the Tyler community so I can become a more effective business and community leader. Through my work in commercial insurance, I regularly interact with business owners, property investors, contractors, and nonprofit leaders across East Texas. Leadership Tyler would help me better understand the challenges and opportunities facing our community while building stronger relationships with others invested in Tyler’s future. I plan to use the relationships and knowledge gained through the program to better connect people, businesses, and resources throughout the community. I also believe the experience will broaden my perspective on issues impacting economic development, education, healthcare, public safety, and local government. One unique quality I would bring to the class is a practical, relationship-driven perspective developed through working with a wide range of businesses and industries. In commercial insurance, I help clients identify risks, solve problems, and communicate effectively with different personalities and viewpoints.

One opportunity for change in Tyler is strengthening the connection between young professionals, local businesses, and the long-term growth of the community. Tyler is experiencing meaningful growth through developments like the downtown improvement project and Parkside Texas, creating an opportunity to attract and retain young professionals in East Texas. Many local industries face workforce challenges, while young professionals often leave seeking stronger career opportunities, networking, and community engagement. Tyler’s continued growth is helping change that perception by showing it is a place where people can build careers, relationships, and long-term roots. Retaining young professionals strengthens local businesses, supports economic development, and develops future community leaders. I’m personally engaged through Heart of Tyler in supporting downtown development as a place where businesses can thrive while creating a strong live, work, and play environment. I also serve on the Chamber’s planning committee for the first annual Young Professionals Summit, focused on connecting and developing young professionals across Tyler. I plan on continuing involvement in these efforts over the coming years.

In commercial insurance, I regularly encounter situations where there is pressure to prioritize the lowest price or securing a deal quickly, even when doing so could leave important coverage gaps or require presenting information in a way that doesn’t fully reflect the exposure. In some cases, taking a less transparent approach may have resulted in a more competitive quote or made it easier to win the business in the short term.
I’ve chosen to handle those situations by focusing on transparent reviews and recommendations that balance both protection and price. I believe clients deserve to clearly understand what is and is not covered, the tradeoffs involved in pricing decisions, and the potential consequences of understating or misrepresenting information during the underwriting process.
While that approach may not always produce the cheapest option, it builds long-term trust and helps clients make informed decisions that properly protect their businesses and investments. It has reinforced my belief that integrity is not just about avoiding major ethical issues, but about consistently choosing honesty and transparency in everyday decisions, even when shortcuts could produce a better immediate outcome.

Community involvement means participating in or assisting with efforts to support the community that you are a part of. I have a unique situation that makes defining what community I am a part of more difficult than it is for the average person. I live 90 miles away from the community where I work, putting me in a situation where I am a part of multiple communities. The time spent commuting reduces the likelihood of heavy involvement with various service groups. I anticipate that my community involvement will continue to increase over time, and that I will resolve the commuting issue within the next year or so. When I lived and worked in the same community, I found it rewarding to serve and volunteer. At that time, my community involvement centered on my local church, where I led a college group and helped organize community outreach.

I expect to utilize the experience in my position as the city’s fire department training chief. I have various areas of responsibility and supervise personnel who need strong leadership. I believe strongly in leading with a servant-leadership style. I hold to the philosophy “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This provides me with a unique framework for leading my co-workers.

I can answer the last question easier than the first. I listen and consider options before immediately deciding on a course of action. I do not have a set agenda for Tyler, nor can I tell you what it needs; however, I can listen, consider, and formulate actionable plans to promote healing and change. Therefore, I can use my leadership style and skill set to listen to the needs of the community, including those with complaints, and work to develop plans to deliver meaningful solutions.

In my current role, there can be the temptation to make policies or decisions that would benefit me rather than the group. I work to ensure that the decisions I make and the positions I advocate for benefit the department as a whole and are fair and just. I try to consider others' viewpoints and work to ensure all sides are taken into account. Sometimes those around me may advocate for a position that favors them, or even me, and I have to stand in the way of those decisions to ensure that we are above reproach in our conduct.

My belief is that Civic Involvement can be defined as inclusiveness. Civic involvement covers a broad spectrum, but ultimately it is the active participation of community members contributing to the well-being of their community. Inclusiveness is ensuring the values that all people should feel accepted and putting forth continued efforts to create a serene environment and lifestyle for all. Such examples of involvement are volunteering, attending city meetings, collaborating with residents and government officials.

Community involvement and volunteer experiences are the key factors as to why I moved to Tyler, TX and continue to live here for the many years to come. Within the next five years, I expect to be directly involved in multiple volunteer opportunities across different areas of interest. My experience includes involvement through mentoring and coaching youth sports teams. My current involvement is nominal when compared to my previous history, but I would like to change this. I’m a very outgoing individual and enjoy interacting with people, which is why I plan to welcome new and different opportunities in which to volunteer. Not only would the organization and/or event benefit from my involvement, but I also would benefit.

Without practice and/or application, skills learned from the Leadership Tyler experience will quickly fade. My expectation is to utilize the learned knowledge and apply it on a consistent basis in multiple aspects of my life. It is crucial to be regularly active, and it requires continued effort. The only way to do so is to actively put myself in situations that require those skills. Being static is not part of my personality. Two things I value most are challenging myself and continuing to grow as an individual. Application on a consistent basis in the workplace, throughout the community, or even in my personal life will help me pay forward any reward that I will have gained.

My diverse life experiences, superior interpersonal skills and relationship development are distinguishing traits that I take extreme pride in. Each of my previous work experiences required a variety of roles and responsibilities and were not aligned to a specific industry. However, the one commonality amongst each of the roles required some version of client communication/relationship development. These refined skills are even carried into my current position at UT Tyler and part-time position with Tyler Valet, often considering myself a client liaison.

Change is growth. It is something that can be seen in the Tyler/Smith County area. Though there is growth in the Tyler area, it maintains strong roots and heritage. Both the growth and strong sense of community are what drove me to relocate to the area and what keeps me here. The development and involvement of young professionals and new families is something that may be lacking. The future of our community is dependent on the growth and inclusion of these groups. It is paramount that leaders work with them, generating new ideas for the community. The opportunity for creating jobs and providing affordable housing can be addressed through public networking and development events. All of this makes Tyler/Smith County Area a desirable environment to raise a family and grow a career.

A significant concern faced by a community looking to make a change is finances. Individuals want opportunities and success within their community, but not at a rate at which it will cost a lot of money. To navigate this hurdle, a new opportunity must be approached from the ground up through the generation of new ideas, effective communication, and working with members of the community. Inserting myself as a liaison and coordinator for all parties is how I could be engaged as our community changes.

Having strong morals and values instilled at a young age has shaped me into who I am today. Following my moral compass in all efforts in life has helped me to develop my strong personal integrity. People are remembered for their true character and trustworthiness. The unfortunate truth is that it takes continued effort and energy to build integrity and establish trust, but only one minute to lose both; something that I am not willing to sacrifice.

A significant experience in which I felt pressure to compromise my personal integrity was an exchange I had while working as a valet. Late into the night, an individual drove up requesting valet service so he could go into the bar and drink. The individual had pulled me aside and asked that I not turn the vehicle off at any point. The vehicle had a breathalyzer installed to prevent drinking and driving. Without any second thought, I politely declined service. I’m not willing to sacrifice my integrity with the business, customers, and community just to receive a tip. The request was wrong on many levels, morally, ethically, and most importantly legally. Not only was the driver at risk, but also the lives of others. Persistence by the individual never made me waiver and I am still proud of how I hand handled the situation.

I define civic and community involvement as showing up and giving back to the place you call home. Whether that's volunteering, supporting local organizations, helping small businesses (this one is especially close to my heart), serving on committees, or simply lending a hand when it's needed, I think community involvement is about being part of something bigger than yourself.

Giving back has always been important to me. Through my work at Keller Williams Tyler and as the owner of Lulu Creative Studio, I've had the opportunity to work alongside many amazing people, businesses, and nonprofits throughout East Texas.

Over the next five years, I plan to continue volunteering and supporting community events, local nonprofits, and service projects like Keller Williams RED Day. I also hope to continue using my marketing and business skills to help small businesses and organizations grow and make a bigger impact.

At the end of the day, I want to leave things a little better than I found them. Whether that's through volunteering, supporting local causes, or helping others succeed, being involved in my community will always be important to me.

I expect to use my Leadership Tyler experience to learn more about the community I love and find new ways to get involved. The longer I live here, the more my love for Tyler continues to grow. It excites me to have the opportunity to learn how things work behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of the people, organizations, and decisions that help shape our city. I also have a passion for historic homes and restoration, so I would love to learn more about the efforts being made to preserve and revitalize the older parts of Tyler while continuing to support its growth.

I think I would bring a unique perspective because I wear a lot of hats. Between owning Lulu Creative Studio and working at Keller Williams Tyler, I get to work with a wide variety of people and organizations every day. I love connecting people, supporting small businesses, and helping others succeed. I'm a creative thinker, a problem solver, and someone who genuinely cares about making our community stronger. I also believe leadership is not about recognition, it's about responsibility, and I'm always looking for ways to serve and give back.

One opportunity I see in the Tyler and Smith County area is continuing to invest in and revitalize our older areas while still supporting growth. As someone who loves historic homes and has personally invested in restoring an older home, I think there is something special about preserving the character and history of a community while also creating opportunities for the future.

Tyler has experienced incredible growth, and I think there is an opportunity to continue connecting people to the businesses, neighborhoods, nonprofits, and community organizations that make our area unique. Sometimes the best things happening in our community simply need more visibility and support.

I could personally be engaged by continuing to use my marketing, business, and community connections to help promote local organizations, small businesses, and initiatives that make Tyler a better place to live. I believe positive change happens when people get involved, and I would love to continue playing a small role in helping our community grow while preserving the things that make it special.

One thing that is very important to me is treating people fairly and leading with honesty, even when it would be easier not to. In both business and leadership roles, there have been times when I felt pressure to avoid hard conversations or make decisions simply because they were the easiest option. However, I’ve learned that protecting your integrity sometimes means being willing to have uncomfortable conversations, set boundaries, and do what is right even when it is difficult.

One example of this has been in leadership and operations roles where I’ve had to make decisions that were not always popular, but were necessary to protect fairness, accountability, and the overall health of the team. I handled those situations by trying to lead with honesty, kindness, and clear communication while still standing firm in my values.

I believe integrity is built in the small decisions we make every day.

I define civic/community involvement as the selfless act of contributing to the community without expecting anything in return. As a high school principal who is in charge of a career exploration, I am working with the Chamber of Commerce, UT Tyler, TJC, and numerous non-profits to expose our students to opportunities to serve and learn about Tyler. We work with Promise Academy, Mentoring Alliance, Bethesda Clinic as well as numerous other organizations in order to model service and emphasize it to our students. I plan to continue to be involved with the Chamber of Commerce in attending and supporting events organized by Grant Ingram, Henry Bell, LaToya Young and others who are committed to providing informative and beneficial content in areas that will educate our students in potential vocational ventures. Personally, I am committed to Promise Academy, PATH, Bethesda, Selah, Beyond Business and other organizations who share a mission with our school and me personally. One question we ask at our school is “What would happen if our school was not here anymore?” - The follow up question is “Would anyone know?” - the next question is “Would anyone care?” Of course, we want that answer to be that if we went away it would leave a huge hole in our community.

I had a great experience in Nashville with LEAD Lipscomb which was the Leadership Nashville model. We did exactly the same thing as Leadership Tyler and Nashville do. I love the format. I learned more about Nashville in that first year than I knew about Chattanooga, Montgomery, Fort Worth and even Tyler combined! I have always been interested in community involvement as I was a member of the Downtown Rotary in Fort Worth and the Rotary Club of Chattanooga. I have been the head of three different schools and enjoyed the opportunity to work with groups such as being the president of the Brainerd/East Brainer Chamber of Commerce (Chattanooga). I have been a Rule 31 Mediator, a Director of Accreditation, the Chairman of East Texas Heads of Schools, President of the TCSA, and was a member of the Southeast School Consortium Steering Committee. As a school administrator for 33 years, I am constantly bringing vision, innovation and insight to organizations in the field of education. I have the ability to motivate and inspire others to reach their full potential. Since I have had the opportunity to serve in several leadership positions throughout my career, I have often been put in the position of being a catalyst for change while maintaining high morale and building trust,

Since my area is in the educational field I think I can best be served with initiatives such as the Business Education Council but for private schools. We have seen a great impact in our program this year since we have attended so many events. We have sent students to the State of the City, the State of Education, Economic Outlook, Energy Summit, Cyber Attacks, AI at Work, Employment Law update, the Governor's Small Business Summit (next week) and other events associated with the city. I have personally attended most of them. We also have been engaged with numerous counseling services such as Living Well, Breckenridge Village, Hope Haven, etc. Our students are touring the Nursing Schools and the new Medical School as well as the numerous Medical Roadshows. Our goal is to be actively engaged in the full community. While we are a faith based organization, we are working with TJC and UT Tyler in ways we can serve them. I am personally involved in many of these events as I supervise, organize and coordinate them. I think we can best foster change in the community by initiating joint private school efforts that involve engaging the business and civic community in joint efforts to learn more, serve more and support our community more.

As President of a private school I had multiple instances where I was asked by board members to make exceptions to policy or rules that were basically conflict of interest. Here are a few examples: A board member wanted me to intervene with a cheerleader election because a major donor's daughter did not make it. I allowed the parent and the board member to see the student's individual results but did not share other student's results or change the results. He never forgave me. On another occasion, I had a board member whose daughter was in a virtual tie for valedictorian. The two students and 3 of the 4 parents agreed that the students should share the honor but the one parent, who was a board member, refused to allow them to share the honor. We then decided to use a tiebreaker that meant that her daughter would be Salutatorian and the other Valedictorian. Once again, I made a decision that I thought was right despite the fact that it could have hurt me personally. Another time, as President of a private school, I suspended a student for vandalizing another student's car. The suspension resulted in the student not being able to play in a baseball playoff game. They begged me to make an exception to the rule or delay the decision until after the game but I did not.

I define civic and community involvement as actively contributing time, resources, and leadership to help strengthen the lives of others and improve the communities we live and work in. To me, true involvement means more than volunteering occasionally, it means building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities, and helping people feel supported and connected.

Throughout my career in business development and sales, I have learned the importance of relationship-building and community presence, especially in underserved and rural areas. Over the next five years, I expect to continue being involved in workforce development initiatives, mentorship programs, community networking events, and volunteer opportunities that support families and individuals seeking career growth and stability.

I am especially interested in partnering with local organizations, chambers of commerce, workforce programs, and youth mentorship initiatives throughout East Texas and surrounding communities. I also hope to use my professional experience to help individuals develop confidence, communication skills, and career readiness.

I believe civic involvement creates stronger communities by bringing people together, encouraging growth, and helping others access opportunities they may not have otherwise

I expect to utilize my Leadership Tyler experience as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the community I serve while strengthening my ability to lead with purpose, collaboration, and impact. As someone working in business development across East Texas, I interact daily with employers, community leaders, and workforce organizations, and I see firsthand both the strengths and challenges within our region. Leadership Tyler will allow me to expand that perspective, build stronger relationships across industries, and become a more effective connector between business needs and community solutions.

I will bring to a Leadership Tyler class a strong background in relationship-driven business development, strategic thinking, and territory leadership. In my current role, I manage a large and diverse market, which has required me to be disciplined, adaptable, and consistent in building trust across rural and urban communities. I also bring experience in growing revenue, developing partnerships, and creating solutions that support both businesses and job seekers.

What makes me unique is my ability to blend sales leadership with genuine community engagement. I am not only focused on business growth, but also on long-term workforce development and helping people access opportunity.

One of the greatest opportunities for change in the Tyler/Smith County area is strengthening workforce alignment between employers, education systems, and underserved communities. While the region continues to grow economically, many businesses still face challenges finding reliable, skilled labor, and at the same time, many individuals are unaware of or disconnected from the training pathways and career opportunities available to them.
This gap exists largely because communication and access are not always aligned. There is an opportunity to build stronger bridges between employers, workforce programs, schools, and community organizations to ensure people are aware of available careers, understand the skills required, and have clear pathways to employment and advancement.
I believe I could be personally engaged in this opportunity by leveraging my experience in business development and workforce partnerships. In my current role, I regularly work with employers across East Texas to understand their staffing needs and connect them with talent. I also engage with community organizations and understand the importance of consistent communication and follow through.
Ultimately, I see this opportunity as a way to help close the gap between talent and opportunity.

There was a time in my career when I was under pressure to take a shortcut in how an account opportunity was being handled in order to secure a faster outcome. The expectation in the moment was to push forward without fully addressing some gaps in communication with the client, which would have made the process look better on paper but would not have reflected the full reality of the situation.

Although there was pressure to proceed, I chose to pause and ensure everything was handled transparently and correctly. I communicated directly with all parties involved, clarified expectations, and made sure the information being presented was accurate and complete. My priority was to maintain trust with the client and protect the long-term integrity of the relationship, even if it meant slowing down the immediate result.

In the end, taking the honest and direct approach strengthened the relationship rather than damaging it. The client appreciated the transparency, and it led to a more stable and long-term partnership.

That experience reinforced for me that integrity is not situational; it is consistent. In business, especially in relationship-driven industries, trust is the most valuable asset you have. I continue to carry that mindset into every professional decision I make, choosing

To me, civic and community involvement go hand in hand when you want to better immerse yourself in your local community. Advocating for our communities, supporting local businesses, and volunteering to work towards the greater good is how I would best describe civic and community involvement. Within the next five years, I expect to be more involved in our community and to give back in a way I hope will inspire other young leaders. Advocating for my community and serving those who continue to pour back into our local families are just a few ways I am looking to make an impact. I wish to pour back into the Tyler community and watch it continue to grow for future generations. One way to do that is to be actively involved in non-profits such as HPAT. The Hispanic Association of Tyler has helped me in many ways. I have had many opportunities to volunteer through HPAT and was honored to be invited to serve on the East Texas Leadership Summit planning committee this year. The Tyler community has always played an important role in my life; I have grown up, studied, and started my career journey here. Being able to play a small moving part by being in HPAT and getting more involved in our community is very exciting for me.

I hope the connections I make throughout my Leadership Tyler experience last for many years, and that we also use those connections to help each other grow. I always look for ways to connect with those who share my goals. I think my unique quality is that I am very personable and flexible. I have always been told how flexible I can be in different situations and how quickly I learn to adapt compared to others. I am willing to learn and adapt in ways that will benefit me and my personal growth in the future. One way I hope to use the new leadership abilities I learn through Leadership Tyler is in my new role at my job. I have been tasked with the opportunity to take over our volunteer program and oversee over 450 volunteers in our organization. I hope to expand our volunteer program as we transition into a bigger facility to meet the needs of our community and hopefully discover new ways to bring collaboration among the non-profit sector while strengthening Bethesda’s mission.

One opportunity I see in our community that I often see that needs more attention in Tyler is supporting local businesses. As Tyler and Smith County continue to grow and expand, we often see more big chain names come into town. We forget about our local businesses that have been around for years, which now must compete against bigger corporations. Supporting locals and encouraging others to do the same in the end helps the economic growth of Tyler, pouring resources back into our local families and services. Local businesses create local jobs, help fund local schools, churches, and nonprofits. Advocating for Tyler and our community by attending local events, collaborating with local organizations, and volunteering are all ways we can help support our community. We are the people who keep Tyler going day and night. One way I can personally engage in this is through my role at my current workplace now. I work in community outreach for Bethesda which is a non-profit clinic here in town. Although my schedule is traditionally Monday through Friday, I always find an opportunity to share any information I can with anyone who I think would benefit from it when I am out at events or just with family and friends. Being engaged outside of the traditional business hours mindset is important

In one of my previous roles, I was stretched thin marketing for 23 different stores and would often not have a chance to go on proper lunch breaks. I did, however, always receive free meals at this establishment as one of the perks of working there. I had numerous encounters where I would have friends come in, knowing I was in a leadership role, asking for free food. I would always have to turn them away, as that was considered stealing. It would make the situation awkward, but I always knew I was doing the correct thing. Stealing was very frowned upon in that company, as store managers would fight very hard to make sure all their inventory was correct at the end of each month. I believe my integrity was what won over the trust of upper leadership at my previous company. Integrity was instilled in me at a very young age, coming from a family of immigrants. We always made sure to do the right thing so others would never have a reason to not trust us. Even to this day, I will always choose integrity over risking my job or morals, even for friends.

I define civic and community involvement as the decision to move from being a resident of a community to being a steward of it. This means recognizing that a city is not only strengthened by institutions alone, but by people who are willing to show up, listen, serve, and help create pathways for others. In my current roles at The University of Texas at Tyler, much of my work already centers on student development, access to higher education, and community engagement.

Over the next five years, I want to become more intentionally involved in Tyler beyond the university. I would like to volunteer with organizations that support education, youth leadership, college access, and community development. I am especially interested in opportunities where I can mentor students, support first-generation college-going families, and help strengthen the relationship between UT Tyler and the broader East Texas community!

I expect to utilize my Leadership Tyler experience as both a learner and a connector. I want to better understand the systems, challenges, people, and opportunities that shape Tyler so I can serve the community with more intention. Because my work at UT Tyler often places me at the intersection of education, families, students, and community partners, I see Leadership Tyler as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the city I help introduce to others. I also hope to use this experience to build stronger bridges between UT Tyler and the broader Tyler community.

Every year, students arrive on campus hoping to find not only a university but a place where they can belong, grow, and eventually contribute. I want to help create more pathways for students to see Tyler not just as where they attend college, but as a community they can invest in. What I bring to a Leadership Tyler class is a perspective shaped by communication, education, and student development!

One opportunity for change in the Tyler/Smith County area is strengthening the connection between education, workforce readiness, and community belonging for young people. Tyler has strong schools, colleges, businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations, but many students still do not clearly see how their education connects to a meaningful future here. When young people do not see a pathway, they may view Tyler as a place to leave rather than a place where they can grow, lead, and contribute.

I have seen this firsthand with students who initially write off Tyler because they are from a larger area or assume opportunity only exists somewhere else. When I talk with them about the growth happening in Tyler, the professional opportunities available, and the ways the community is developing, they are often surprised. That tells me the opportunity is not just creating more resources; it is helping young people see and access what already exists.

I want to be engaged in this work, though my roles are in higher education, communication, and student development. At UT Tyler, I interact with prospective students, families, school groups, student leaders, and campus partners. I would like to help build stronger bridges between students and the broader community.