Student Stories
Zoe Homeniuk:
Hi! My name is Zoe Homeniuk, and I am currently in my second year at Minot State University. I am a Professional Communications major with a plan in Public Relations. Last year, I was living in the Leadership Living Learning Community. Within this community, I was able to learn so much about myself. The leadership program gave me insight into improving my leadership skills, learning more about myself as an individual, as well as learning how to work better with others.
I used all the opportunities provided by the Looyenga Leadership Center. I attended all the workshops, where I learned more about my strengths and weaknesses, areas where I need to improve personally, and how to become a better leader for everyone I work with currently, and anyone in the future. I have taken all the leadership classes available as well, and I am now getting a minor in Leadership. The Leadership Center has given me more opportunities than I ever thought would be available to me. It is truly an amazing program to learn more about yourself and how to become a better leader.
Brek Thompson:
My name is Brek Thompson and I’m an Exercise Science and Rehabilitation major here at Minot State. I’ve lived in Minot my whole life, so it was an easy decision to stay here for college. During my first year here, I got involved with the Leadership Center as a part of my first-year experience classes by taking Leadership 101. At first, I thought it was just a requirement as a first year, but what I didn't’t know was that LEAD 101 would send me down an amazing path.
Thanks to LEAD 101 I ended up continuing to take leadership courses and even ended up adding the leadership minor. The courses offered by our leadership program have helped me develop as an individual dramatically. They taught me all my different strengths and showed me how to work through my weaknesses by collaborating with others who are strong where I’m not. This has helped me work towards becoming the best version of myself and has helped me develop strong friendships with other leadership scholars. If I were asked to go back in time and choose whether to enroll in leadership or not, I would choose to enroll every single time.
Jada Clarke:
My name is Jada Clarke, and I am a part of several different organizations on campus: I am one of the MSU life event coordinators, tour guide, track and field team manager, orientation leader, English club member, executive member for student ambassadors, member of FBLA, and secretary for the swift club. With all the groups that I have the pleasure to be in, leadership is at the forefront of each one! Whether it is bringing a new team closer together, coming up with more ways to integrate the community with the campus, or leading an event, leadership is an integral component of all of it.
I was thrilled in my first year of college to be a part of the Student Leadership Summit in 2021 and my latest attendance at the one in April of 2023. All the summits I have been to consist of several ways to help us improve as leaders on an individual level and then implement those same strategies on a larger scale, being campus organizations. We were equipped with the proper knowledge to help us reach out to more students, build upon the campus experience, and to help other students in finding their way through the college experience. All speakers and guests who were there to help advance our skills and experience did an excellent job. Every time I left the leadership summit, I left knowing more people on a deeper level and knowing how I can improve on being a better leader. The Student Leadership Summit is truly one of Minot State Universities can’t-miss-out events that are for each and all students!
Quinn Sullivan:
My name is Quinn Sullivan, and I am from Butte, Montana. I am majoring in Computer Science as well as Cybersecurity and Operations with a concentration in Leadership Studies. In the spring of 2021, I took part in the Emerging Leaders Program. This was a great experience that has significantly shaped my leadership skills and personal growth. Throughout the program, I had the chance to collaborate with a diverse group of peers, enhancing my problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and teamwork.
Participating in the Emerging Leaders Program has allowed me to sharpen my leadership skills and expand my network. The workshops were engaging and allowed me to learn from experienced mentors. Whether we were working on problem-solving strategies or practicing effective communication, I was continually challenged and encouraged to grow.
Lafayette Bade:
Hello! My name is Lafayette Bade and I am from Elk River Minnesota. I completed my undergraduate degree in Corporate Fitness & Wellness Management and am currently pursuing two master's degrees–one in Sports Management and another in Business Management. Since 2019, I have played defensive line on the MSU Football team and been a part of multiple groups and organizations. These groups and organizations included: working at the MSU Wellness Center, member of the Severson Entrepreneurship Club, member of MSU Life, becoming the graduate assistant for the Looyenga Leadership Center as well.
In the spring of 2021, I was offered the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program with Mr. Jim Sturm and I loved everything about the program. The program offered leadership training in a hands-on way that helped me invest in myself. My path in leadership began from the moment I started playing sports at a young age. The Leadership program here at Minot State has helped me further develop my skills to be able to work and communicate well with other individuals and teams in everyday life. While I am pursuing two master's degrees here at Minot State, I am also pursuing a graduate leadership certificate as well. From my experience with the Emerging Leaders Program and the graduate-level leadership courses, leadership continues in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in athletics, class, job, or family settings, being able to have strong leadership skills will benefit everyone.
Blake Espino:
I am Blake Espino, a sophomore here at Minot State. I am a long snapper for the football team and a student events coordinator for the school. I am from Fairfield California where I was born and raised. I participated in many sports in high school including track and field, football, and swim and dive. I have been involved in sports from a very young age, leadership has often been a topic that has been brought up by coaches or players throughout my athletic journey. Before entering the leadership program at MSU, I believed I had a broad understanding of what leadership was and understood how to be a successful leader. Since being in the Looyenga Leadership program I learned more in depth what it meant to be a successful leader.
Being in the program I enjoyed discussing different roles, viewpoints, and types of leadership throughout the year. I was able to learn from classmates what they thought leadership was to them. Addressing leadership and how it impacts daily life was a major takeaway I had from the program. Observing football leadership daily that involved leadership in my life and understanding the correlation to the program was really helpful. The program helped me understand what leadership is all about. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to be in the program.
Hannah Peterson:
My name is Hannah Peterson and I’m pursuing a degree in social work and a concentration in leadership studies. When deciding where I wanted to attend college, Minot State University was the only university I wanted to attend because of the location being in my hometown. Since the very beginning, MSU has provided me with leadership opportunities that have transformed me into the person I am today.
In my freshman year of college, 2020-2021, I was nominated by a faculty member for the first Emerging Leaders Program held by Jim Sturm. This nomination and program gave me motivation to stay enrolled as a student and pursue my dreams. Spring of 2022, I took LEAD 101. This class boosted my confidence and abilities as a leader because I was the only female enrolled alongside 11 males. The following spring, 2023, I declared my concentration in leadership and enrolled in LEAD 201. I am currently taking LEAD 301 and will finish my concentration in the Spring of 2024 with LEAD 211. Alongside academic opportunities, the Leadership Center has provided me with student employment opportunities. I have been an orientation/registration leader for incoming freshmen for the past three years and have worked in collaboration with Jim on the university-sponsored event, Launching Leadership. The leadership center has provided me with a space to meet like-minded individuals, be pushed out of my comfort zone, and belong. I will be forever grateful for the lasting impact and opportunities the Looygenas, Jim Sturm, and fellow students at the Leadership Center provided me with. This center has been a space for personal growth that will launch me into my future career.
