Dustin Evatt

Dustin Evatt, Sophomore

Major: Elementary Education

Hometown: Easley, SC

High School: Easley High 

Involved in: 

•           Council of Student Leaders

•         Chair 06-07

•         Voter Registration and Education Committee Chair

•         Homecoming Committee

•           Orientation Assistant

•           Kappa Sigma Fraternity

•           Richardson Hall Council President

•           Residence Student Association

•         Parliamentarian

         The emerging leader program gives new students an opportunity 

to meet new people all around campus.  They will get a chance to network 

with faculty members, professors, as well as administrators.  The program 

also helps students become better leaders, whether it be on campus or in 

the community.  The friends that I made by being in the Emerging Leaders 

program will last a life time.  I am still very close to many of my fellow 

emerging leaders!  I have become a stronger leader by having gone through

 the Emerging Leaders program!

         Get involved early, and make a difference!  Don't be just the person that

 stands in a crowd and does nothing, BE A LEADER!  Take chances, make 

mistakes, and learn from those mistakes.  That is the only way that you will

become a better leader.  Don't be afraid to get involved in an organization 

and take a leadership role early!  It may seem intimidating at first but in the 

end, you will gain better leadership qualities and respect from your peers!

Britney Zanders, Senior

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Cayce, SC

High School: Brookland Cayce High School

Involved in:

•           The Association of Ebonites

•           Winthrop Ambassadors

•           Alpha Kappa Psi, Inc.

•           Resident Assistant

•           National Residence Hall Honorary

 	The Emerging Leader program gives you the edge of meeting  

faculty and staff, obtaining advanced leadership development and training, 

and it can open the doors to several leadership opportunities through 

Student Affairs.

 	Being that I got involved my freshman year, and have continued 

my involvement throughout my entire college career, getting and staying 

involved helps to round out a person.  I feel that involvement gives you 

personal experience in new situations, but it also gives you the chance to 

change or influence someone’s life; the opportunity to make a difference 

doing things you love to do . . . like getting to have your cake and eat it too.

Brittany Zanders

Hannah Sane

Hannah Sane, Junior

Major: Early Childhood Education

Hometown: Travelers Rest, SC

High School: Travelers Rest High School

Involved in:

•           Peer Mentor

•           Orientation Assistant

•           South Carolina Early Childhood Education Association (SCECA)

•           Palmetto State Teachers Association

•           Student Coordinator for Leadership Initiatives

•         Student Affairs Job

•           Macfeat Laboratory School Student Assistant

•           Council of Student Leaders

•         Homecoming Committee

•         SAC Representative

•           Student Alumni Council

•         CSL Representative

•         Spirit Committee

      The Emerging Leaders program is a wonderful opportunity for students to build on their leadership skills and meet new friends who have the same drive to get involved at Winthrop.  I do not believe I would be as involved at Winthrop as I am today, if I had not gone through the Emerging Leaders program.  To be apart of this program is an honor, and a great way for freshman to build their leadership experience.

Kevin Vandiver, Sophomore

Hometown: Lyman, SC

High School: James F. Brynes High School

Involved in:

• Orientation Assistant

•         Dinkins Student Union (DSU)

•  Public Relations

• Jazz Band

      Emerging Leaders are a very important part of the Winthrop community. They serve as snapshots of the makeup of the future leadership of the campus.  To be associated with a group as selective as this one is a very high honor not to be taken lightly.  Being in this elite group guarantees a certain level of respect, and is, of course, good experience that an Emerging Leader can reference later for any jobs in the future.

      Getting involved is very important.  It is an imperative step in the college acclamation process.  College is not the preparation for life. It is life. Therefore, why not delve in and enjoy it? It is not wise to burn one’s self out, but getting involved makes the transitional process from home to college much smoother:  New connections are made, life-long friendships are forged, and a sense of responsibility to one’s respective organizations is created—which is great to have before one has to look for a 9-5 job.  These can be created without getting involved, it is simply more difficult.

Kevin Vandiver

Jenn Pizzolongo

Jenn Pizzolongo, Senior

Major: Business Administration/Management

Hometown: Columbia, SC

High School: Cardinal Newman High School

Involved in:

•  Student Alumni Council

•  Chi Omega Sorority

•  Peer Mentor

•  Assistant Student Director

• Orientation Assistant

•  Leadership Winthrop
  
  A new student should apply to be an Emerging Leader because
  it is a good program that teaches many important leadership
  characteristics that are integral for all leaders to have.
  
  The most important thing I have learned from the El program is how to be a good leader. Even though there will be hard decisions to
  make as a leader, success can still shine through. The Emerging Leaders program has helped me by getting me involved in other campus organizations and being able to take on other leadership positions.

Mechelle Smothers, Sophomore

Major: Business Management

Hometown: Columbia, SC

High School: Ridge View High School

Involved in:

•           Leadership Winthrop

•           Orientation Assistant

•           Peer Mentor

•           Kate Wofford Hall Council

•         Secretary

      A new student should apply to be an Emerging Leader because it gives

them a chance to get involved on campus during their first semester.  It

 is also a great way to meet new friends and make bonds before all the 

freshmen and upperclassmen come on campus.

      The Emerging Leader program has helped me in leadership positions 

because I am not afraid to try out for new things.  Every chance I get I

 say that I am a former Emerging Leader!!  It really is beneficial, I promise!!!

MeChelle Smothers

Suzanne Rizzo

Suzanne Rizzo, Sophomore

Major: Business Administration

Hometown: Marlboro, NJ

High School: Marlboro High School

Involved in:

•           Margaret Nance Hall Council

•         Treasurer

•           Resident Student Association

•           Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority

•         Corresponding Secretary on the Programs Council

•           S.O.A.R

•           WU Crew

•           Homecoming Committee

•           DSU

•           Leadership Winthrop

•           Winthrop Ambassador

•           Dinkins Student Union

      “A new student should apply to be an Emerging Leader because the program really orients a student with Winthrop University, it teaches you leadership skills, and it will introduce you to many people. Through this program you will meet many influential administrators as well as other student leaders. Emerging Leaders is a great developmental program that helps you learn about the type of leader you are as well as how to work with others. Emerging Leaders is a perfect tool for new students who are interested in campus life and want to get involved.”

     “Becoming involved on campus is essential for your full enjoyment and fulfillment of college life. Getting involved is key towards meeting other students as well as faculty. Getting involved is contagious; once you are apart of one great organization, you become curious about other organizations. Becoming involved you will learn things you never had before, meet people you would not normally cross path’s with and become an overall well-rounded person.”