Meet the November 2019 Students of the Month
ON CAMPUS STUDENT: MICAYLA GUTIERREZ
Originally from Wichita, Micayla Gutierrez is a sophomore at Fort Hays State University. While majoring in biology, Micayla is working towards a certificate in leadership studies. On campus, she is the secretary of the organization NSCS and Pre-med club, is a member of Tiger Pals, Astronomy Club, Christian Challenge, assists with research on cancer cells, and is the vice president of a residential hall council. She enjoys photography, coaching, and figure skating for fun. Micayla also enjoys getting involved in the community; when she is in Wichita, she often volunteers at Wesley Hospital, and hopes to job shadow there one day. Micayla enjoyed student government in high school, which is why she became involved in leadership studies. Organizational Leadership gives her the opportunity to one day make a difference in her community. When asked what her favorite leadership class has been, she could not pick between Introduction to Leadership Concepts and Introduction to Leadership Behavior. She took them with Justin Greenleaf and Kaley Klaus who “both are amazing professors and make each class enjoyable and fun to learn. They both have attitudes that never fail to put a smile on my face. I cannot choose between the two classes because of this.” Congratulations, Micayla!
VIRTUAL STUDENT: MATTHEW BEIGEL
Matthew Beigel is a senior majoring in Organizational Leadership. Originally from Suitland, Maryland, Matthew currently lives in Derby. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his kids, being outdoors, biking – he hopes to do Bike Across Kansas in a few years – and watching TV, especially the show Game of Thrones. Matthew is a member of the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement. Once he becomes familiar with this role, he hopes to seek out new leadership responsibilities and become part of another virtual club that allows him to expand his network, both scholarly and professionally. Matthew said he chose to become involved in Leadership Studies because he wants to “continue climbing that proverbial “corporate ladder”. I wanted to obtain my degree and continue climbing the ranks. I found however that there is so much more to this field of study beyond having a degree that will help me professionally.” Matthew enjoyed the classes; Introduction to Leadership Concepts because it set the basis of leadership, Team Dynamics because he learned the importance of having a strong vision and what a real team is, and finally Fieldwork in Leadership Studies because “it forced me to be uncomfortable, while delivering the opportunity to learn more about myself and the community I live in.” Congratulations, Matthew!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT: CHERYL SHEN
In her second year of school at Fort Hays State University, Cheryl Shen is working towards a degree in business administration and organizational leadership. From the city of Zhengzhou, her favorite leadership class thus far has been Leadership and Personal Development with Benjamin Houchen. Through this class, Cheryl has gained a deeper understanding of her own character and has learned how to deal with her shortcomings. At the same time, she has learned a lot of the people around her and how to get along with them better. Cheryl is excited to apply what she learned to real life and to her future. Cheryl chose to be involved with Leadership Programs because of various reasons. It allows her to understand herself and others better, improves her interpersonal skills and language expression ability, and allows her to fully understand what leadership is and how to use those skills to be a leader. Cheryl is involved in many organizations on campus; she is a member of the Zhengzhou stray animal volunteer group, works on undergraduate innovation and entrepreneurship projects, and works in the student union in the Public Relations and Etiquette Department. In her free time, Cheryl enjoys playing the Gu Zheng, swimming, yoga, and talking with others, especially foreign teachers. Congratulations, Cheryl!
GRADUATE STUDENT: MARTINA OLEKSIAK
Martina Oleksiak is working towards a Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. Originally from Rehburg, Germany, Martina lives in Cleveland, Ohio taking virtual classes while also being involved in a local non-profit wildlife organization. After Martina graduated from Baldwin-Wallace University with a degree in Business Management, she was looking for a different kind of master’s degree, which is why Fort Hays’ MPS program stuck out to her. She says, “I had a professional goal to be able to combine business acumen with the study of psychology and sociology to attain a degree that is people focused.” The class Theoretical Foundations of Leadership has been the most impactful course Martina has taken thus far, although she has enjoyed them all. Not only did it give her a basis of leadership knowledge but it also conveyed the importance of leadership from various perspectives. Martina was able to take what she learned from that course and apply it to her life the very next day. It also solidified her thoughts about being an “authentic and servant leader with a global leadership perspective.” She has many hobbies outside of school. Martina enjoys working with animals and takes care of her own very spirited parrots while also having a healthy lifestyle that allows her to exercise often through various activities. Congratulations, Martina!