LeADERS
LeADERS Reflection
The LeADERS Program at Old Dominion University is a unique program designed for ODU undergraduate students that equips them for careers, graduate school, and lifelong learning through engagement and hands-on experiences. LeADERS stands for Leadership, Applied Work-Based Learning, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Research, and Service Learning.
​
This LeADERS ePortfolio illustrates how my involvement in Academic internships, diversity, and research has shaped my professional and educational advancement. Through the LeADERS program, I participated in impact courses and work based learning that greatly prepared me for life after college. Courses such as American Foreign Policy, Gender & Philsophy, and my internship class have given me insightful knowledge that I can put towards my future endeavors both academically and professionally.
Reflecting Back
Why did I join LeADERS?
I originally joined LeADERS because I believed it would look good for future graduate and law school applications. While that is true, I had yet to realize how much the creation of an ePortfolio could help me with future endeavors by reflecting upon my academic journey, personal growth, and the skills I've developed along the way. It’s given me a deeper understanding of my strengths, clarified my goals, and allowed me to present my experiences in a more meaningful and intentional way.
What were some interesting discoveries I made while engaging in my LeADERS experiences?
Last semester, I took a Gender & Philosophy course, which gave me great insight into philosophy from more than just a man's perspective. It made me think of how underrepresented communities are often marginalized in areas such as education, healthcare, and political representation, and how critical it is to include diverse voices in philosophical and policy discussions that shape our society.
How did LeADERS fit into my overall undergraduate experience?
LeADERS fit into my undergraduate experience by helping me connect what I was learning in the classroom to real-world applications. It encouraged me to reflect deeply on my academic and professional journey, and gave me the tools to articulate my goals, values, and accomplishments cohesively, especially through the creation of my ePortfolio. The program challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, engage in meaningful experiences like service learning and leadership development, and become more intentional about how I grow both personally and professionally. Ultimately, LeADERS added depth, direction, and purpose to my time at ODU.
Impact on Professional Development
Interpersonal & Negotiation Skills
Why is it important for someone in my field to have these skills?
Interpersonal and negotiation skills are essential for anyone pursuing a career in the legal or political field because success in both fields relies heavily on communication, relationship-building, and conflict resolution. As a future lawyer, these skills allow me to advocate effectively for clients, build trust with diverse stakeholders, and navigate high-stress situations with professionalism and empathy. In politics, strong interpersonal skills are critical for understanding constituents’ needs, working across ideological lines, and forming coalitions to get legislation passed.
​
Negotiation, in particular, is about more than just reaching a compromise; it's about understanding different perspectives, identifying shared interests, and crafting solutions that serve the public good or protect my client’s rights. The ability to listen, persuade, and collaborate is what turns legal knowledge into real-world impact.
What did I learn about my strengths and areas for improvement when it comes to these skills?
Through my academic and professional experiences, I’ve learned that one of my key strengths is the ability to actively listen and communicate with empathy. I’m able to create space for others to express their perspectives, which has helped me build trust in group settings and navigate difficult conversations. I’ve also found that I’m skilled at identifying common ground, a quality that’s essential for negotiation and collaboration.
​
At the same time, I’ve recognized that I’m still developing confidence in high-pressure or confrontational situations. Sometimes I hesitate to assert my ideas strongly when the stakes feel high or when others are more dominant in the conversation. To improve, I’ve been working on speaking with greater clarity and conviction, especially when advocating for a position or making tough decisions. Participating in class debates and leadership roles has helped me strengthen this area, and I plan to continue building these skills through real-world experience.
Academic Internship
Last semester, I got my first internship as a marketing intern at the Dean of Students' office. At this internship, I learned the different strategies involved in effective campus outreach, including how to tailor messages for diverse student audiences, manage social media campaigns, and promote events in a way that aligns with the university's values. It also gave me valuable insight into the importance of clear communication, collaboration across departments, and the behind-the-scenes work that supports student engagement. At first, it took me some time to learn about marketing efforts and what effective outreach looks like in a university setting. I had to quickly adapt to using branding guidelines, learn how to schedule and design content for different platforms, and understand what types of messaging resonate with various student groups. Over time, I became more confident in contributing ideas, creating content, and collaborating with professional staff. The experience not only strengthened my communication and creative skills but also taught me how intentional and strategic marketing can positively influence student involvement and awareness. What I liked most about this internship was the creative freedom I had to contribute ideas and design content that felt authentic and engaging. Being able to brainstorm different themes, experiment with different visual styles, and see my work published on official platforms gave me a strong sense of ownership and confidence. It was rewarding to know that my contributions helped connect students with important resources and events on campus. This experience showed me how creativity and strategy can go hand-in-hand in making a meaningful impact within a community.
Gender & Philosophy
The course Gender & Philosophy at ODU offered a deep and diverse exploration of philosophical approaches to gender and gender differences. We studied a range of texts—from transgender philosophy to feminist ethics, and discussed how philosophical frameworks help us understand gender as a social construct. A central focus of the course was feminist philosophy, particularly its approach to ethics and epistemology, including the idea that sex and gender influence who is seen as a "knower" in society.
​
One of the most impactful concepts I was introduced to in this class was intersectionality—a term I hadn’t encountered in my previous philosophy courses. Intersectionality describes how different aspects of identity, such as gender, race, class, and sexuality, intersect to shape individuals’ unique experiences of discrimination and oppression. This framework helped me better understand how systems of power and privilege operate, especially concerning marginalized communities.
​
Toward the end of the semester, we read Kate Manne’s Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women and completed a group project in response to the themes of the book. A powerful learning moment for me was recognizing the universality of many women’s experiences with dismissal and inequality, particularly in areas like healthcare. One story from the book that deeply affected me was that of a Black woman who shared her traumatic experience during pregnancy. Despite her repeated pleas for help and descriptions of severe pain, medical professionals ignored her concerns, labeling her as overly dramatic. Tragically, this neglect led to the loss of her child. This story underscored how systemic racism and sexism can converge in life-altering and heartbreaking ways.
​
Overall, this course challenged me to think more critically about how gender and power operate in everyday life, and it left me with a deeper commitment to advocating for equity in systems that often ignore or erase the voices of the marginalized.
​
​
​
Gendered Knowledge
American Foreign Policy
The American Foreign Policy course explored the various factors that influence the development, decision-making, and analysis of U.S. foreign policy. As a writing-intensive class, it challenged me to think critically and communicate my understanding through in-depth analysis. Throughout the semester, I studied key concepts such as American exceptionalism, Wilsonianism, Jacksonianism, realism, and the structure of foreign policy institutions.
​
Although I took the course online, there was significant emphasis on Wilsonianism and its lasting influence on U.S. foreign policy. I found it fascinating that ideologies shaped nearly a century ago still guide American actions on the global stage today, especially in areas related to democracy promotion and international cooperation.
​
Originally, realism was a difficult ideology for me to grasp. Its focus on power politics, national interest, and the often pessimistic view of international relations contrasted sharply with the more idealistic frameworks I was familiar with. However, over time, I came to understand its practical application, particularly in moments of conflict, diplomacy, and national security strategy. It taught me to analyze foreign policy decisions through a more strategic and less emotionally driven lens.
​
This course not only sharpened my writing and analytical skills but also deepened my understanding of how historical ideologies and institutional structures continue to shape the United States’ role in the world today.
​
​
​
​
​
​