Brian Berry

Senior
Hometown: Germantown
High School: Germantown High School

Involvement
Tiger Elite, Up 'til Dawn, Blue Crew, Campus Outreach.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
Applying for the Emerging Leader scholarship was the best decision I ever made. My tuition was taken care of, setting me apart from most of my friends who had to pay for their school and go into debt at a young age. I've made great friends and networked with many people as a result of my involvement in this program, I have learned valuable leadership skills because of the challenges I have faced through scholarship requirements. This isn't just a program. It's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to learn and to lead. This is the best organization a student can be a part of at the U of M.

Ryan Bush

Junior
Hometown: McMinnville, TN
High School: Warren County High School '06

Involvement
Frosh Camp Counselor 2007 & 2008, Inter-fraternity Council Executive Board, Greek Life, Student Activities Council, Blue Crew and Up Til' Dawn.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
A person should apply to be an Emerging Leader because it is a great way to get involved and improve your leadership skills. Being an Emerging Leader, you already are a step ahead of everyone else. You already have standards that you must meet and surpass. Being an Emerging Leader you receive so many connections that will help you in your future college years, and in your future career. The Emerging Leader Program enhances so many of your qualities that other programs cannot.

Cathy Gianella

Sophomores
Hometown: Bartlett, Tennessee
High School: Bartlett High School

Involvement
Greek Sorority, Blue Crew, Hispanic Student Organization/ La Lengua, Freshman Diaries, Frosh Frenzy, Up 'Til Dawn, and founding member of the Memphis Student Lifeblood Donor Council to promote blood donations among students, faculty, and friends.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
Being an Emerging Leader really helps students to get acclimated to college life. Emerging Leaders already know much about a variety of campus activities even before school begins and they move into residence halls having friends up and down the hall that they can always count on. My closest friends are Emerging Leaders and it is truly inspiring to be surrounded by friends who are just as motivated to get involved around campus. I don't know what I would be doing now if I hadn't applied to be an Emerging Leader, but I know that I wouldn't have gotten half of the opportunities that I have now and I probably wouldn't have met such amazing people. I can't imagine my life at the University of Memphis any other way.

Becca Lewis     

Senior
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: McGavock High

Involvement
Tiger Elite, Greek Organization, Honors Program, Campus Outreach, Former Up Til' Dawn Morale Capt., Emerge Team, Sociology Pupils and Refugee Economic Initiative Program.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
The Emerging Leaders Program is a great avenue for growth not only in your leadership abilities but in your personal life. It will give you an immediate connection to the University of Memphis community, its faculty, and 30 other student leaders who are engaging in similar activities while in college. Who wouldn't want to surround themselves with 30 other individuals who can offer much encouragement and wisdom to your life? The Emerging Leaders Program is a unique and special community that has served as a support system, and even a family throughout my time in college. I do not know what my college experience would have been without it.

Cortney Richardson

Sophomores
Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School: East High School

Involvement
Empowered Men of Color (E.M.O.C.) National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP), Black Student Association (BSA), Students Advocating Service (SAS), Student Activities Committee (SAC, Chosen Generation

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
The Emerging Leaders program allows students who have displayed leadership qualities throughout their high school years to become more well-rounded leaders. The primary focus of the Emerging Leaders program is to create leaders of the world not just leaders of the community. Being accepted into the program after the very necessary and interesting application process is a major accomplishment. The Emerging Leaders Program makes the good leaders better and makes the better leader the best.

Jennifer Simpson 

Senior
Hometown: Trenton, TN
High School: Peabody High School   

Involvement
Residence Hall Association, Black Scholars Unlimited, P.A.U.S.E.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?  
Students should apply for the Emerging Leader scholarship because it not only assists financially with their college education but also helps prepare them for life by promoting involvement in both their college and local communities and equips them with leadership skills. This program enhances the college experience through student involvement and students get to meet great people who are motivated and want to succeed just as badly as they do.

Heidi Thomas

Senior
Hometown:  McKenzie, TN
High School:  McKenzie High School

Involvement
Students' Advocating Service - Campus Activities Chair, Black Student Association - Fashion Show Chair, Pre-Law Society, Habitat for Humanity (active volunteer).

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?  
The Emerging Leader Program is most definitely an elite organization on campus, that can help further your life not only academically, but professionally as well. Through this program, you are able to network and communicate with people on a different level. Emerging Leaders receive more respect from faculty and administration because they understand the value of the program. There is a lot which is required, but the hard work does not go unnoticed. You are surrounded by people who are guaranteed to succeed in life, granting you more work opportunities in the future. I have made friends, received an internship, and continue to increase my knowledge for free because of the Emerging Leader Scholarship Program.

Libba Walker

Senior
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High School: Madison Academic Magnet High School

Involvement
Tiger Elite, Greek Life, Up Til Dawn Exec, Frosh Camp, MEISA Exec (Music Entertainment Industry Student Association), Career Peer Advisor.

Why should someone apply to be an emerging leader?
Being an Emerging Leader offers invaluable opportunities that encourage growth not only as a leader but as an individual as well. You begin your college career surrounded by peers and administrators that respect you and challenge you to become a better person. And the lessons learned from your experiences as an Emerging Leader will last a lifetime!