• About Us
• Academics
• Alumni
• Partnerships
• News & Events
• Resources
• FAQ
• Donate

• Instructor Portal

Home > Katie Jurgenson

Katie Jurgenson

My leadership journey up to this point has been a very involved one, but a different one. I started out in the 1000 level class and before I knew it I was working in the office, I was a TA for multiple classes and I was deep in my passion for understanding and improving the Leadership Minor. While working through the summer I was allowed to further my understanding of the history, processes and issues surrounding the Minor. At that point I became completely involved in the future of the Minor. With my overwhelming passion for change and forward progress I started to combine the knowledge I gained from my classes with my work experience to ultimately impact my personal life.  In doing so I realized I cared a lot about having an impact on the student experience along with the lives of other people.  I was searching for a way to use everything I had learned to leave my mark or my legacy with the minor and for an appropriate and effective way to influence those around me.  I found that even though I had really large goals I needed to focus and take baby steps. This led to the creation of a new website and strategic plan.  In my personal life this led to my passion for the green movement and speaking out towards truth. Both allow me to take small steps toward forward progress.  I find some peace in tackling tough issues through small daily steps.

Today I am trying to figure out where to go and how to be after the recent events in my life. I recently graduated from the Leadership Minor. Days later I left for a month long backpacking trip through Europe. For me Europe solidified everything I had learned in the Leadership minor. Every day there were clear examples of Leadership at work.  After the trip I found more challenges with how to incorporate what I had learned and the new person I had become into my daily life. The new me, post-Europe was hard to get used to. Now, I have lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my fiancé for one month.  The new changes and challenges are forcing me to use everything I have learned about leading a congruent life in Leadership.

I am excited about my future as a Leadership Minor Alumnus. With the release of the new website participating in alumni relations will be a lot easier. I am excited to share my experiences involving how leadership shows up in my life. As the new editor of the Alumni Details Newsletter I am excited to get to know other alumni and become a part of the alumni community. I can’t wait to receive their stories and experiences about leadership. This for me provides another source for living a congruent and full life. The leadership Minor has taught me how to live, beyond my position. I will consistently be working towards fulfilling my life beyond my job.

My advice to current students and alumni is to find a way that works for you to live a true and congruent life and then do it confidently.