Service Leadership Freshman Year Reflection

This Service Leader Reflection features Sophie Mueller's reflection on her freshman year experience in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business' Service Leadership Program.

Freshmen year has been quite the whirlwind. As this year wraps up, I have realized what shaped my first year at SLU and made me the student that I am. The Service Leadership Program was something that drew me to the Chaifetz  School of Business while I was merely a prospective student, and ever since I joined, my perception of St. Louis and of myself as a servant leader has changed in such a positive way. The monthly outings to local nonprofits, such as Paraquad and United Way, allow servant leaders to learn of outreach opportunities within the St. Louis community. The various workshops that I have attended range from topics such as gentrification in St. Louis to corporate and community development. These workshops have allowed me to meet other servant leaders who are passionate about improving communities through a business mindset.

This semester in particular, I participated in the learning modules which present opportunities to discuss characteristics of a servant leader while getting to know ourselves and other freshmen in the program. Service Leadership has exceeded my expectations and has allowed me to further understand why we serve and the best way to serve others in our community. Specifically for my freshmen year, this program has allowed me to discern where to serve my designated 100 hours. I look forward to serving the community alongside my friends and embracing the many opportunities that this wonderful program provides. It has made my transition into the Chaifetz School of Business and into college easier as I met people with the same enthusiasm for service and interest in community engagement as I have. I am excited to get more involved in this program and further understand how we can make an impact here at the Chaifetz School of Business, Saint Louis University, in St. Louis and beyond. Here’s to another great year!