This Service Leader Spotlight features Molly Meer's senior reflection on the Service Leadership Program.
When I joined the Service Leadership Program as a sophomore, I did not know the impact
that it would have on my life. Now, as a senior nearing graduation, I see that the
Service Leadership Program has played a key role in forming me not only into a leader,
but into an agent for social change. Service and leadership can and should go hand
in hand.
Reflecting on my time in the Service Leadership Program, I am flooded with memories
of the past three years. I am reminded of the Service Leadership spring break trip
to Washington, D.C. sophomore year, the Wednesday nights that I served at Labre, Tuesday
afternoon meetings with Service Leadership Advisory Board and Friday afternoon workshops.
Each experience had an impact on who I have become as both a servant and a leader.
The most important aspect that I have learned through these experiences is being a
servant leader means building meaningful relationships. The relationships that I have
built through Labre with those who experience homelessness in St. Louis have challenged
my perceptions and opened my eyes to the injustices in our society. I have also built
lasting friendships with other servant leaders. I am constantly learning from the
community of people the Service Leadership Program has provided for me. While I have
learned lessons about the value of corporate social responsibility, self-growth and
how to work toward social change; I ultimately learned how to be a woman 鈥渇or and
with others.鈥�
My experiences in the program have truly challenged and shaped me into the servant
leader and friend that I did not know I could be 3 years ago. As the founder of servant
leadership, Robert Greenleaf, says, 鈥済ood leaders must first become good servants.鈥�
Through building relationships, the Service Leadership Program has taught me how to
be a servant first in order to be a good leader. As I graduate and begin my career,
I will carry with me the lessons that I have learned and the relationships that I
have formed. I will continue to strive to be a servant leader in every aspect of my
life.