Ohio University

2018-19 Presidential Leadership Society members announced and new graduate student group formed

Presidential Leaders are an elite society of student volunteers who will give their time and talents to advance the priorities and initiatives of President Nellis

May 22, 2018
From staff reports

Spring recruitment for the next cohort of Presidential Leaders took place in February and March, yielding many nominations and applications for the 2018-19 academic year. In addition to the new undergraduate Presidential Leadership Society, this year will include a group of graduate student presidential leaders.

“As we prepare for the next iteration of this program, we have developed a complimentary group, focusing only on graduate students,” President Nellis said. “They will receive more targeted professional development and leadership training focused on their unique goals. This group will be called the Presidential Graduate Student Leadership Society.”

John T. Rogers, advisor to both Societies, mentioned “throughout the interview process, it was clear that the needs and interests of the graduate students, as it related to their interest in leadership and professional development, differed from our traditional undergraduate students. It made sense to separate the two groups and work on building an experience that is equally beneficial to both.”

The members of each society hail from every college and represent diverse majors and involvements. They will continue to engage with donors, alumni, community members and elected officials at various University events hosted throughout the academic year. Sharing stories of their academic endeavors and involvements provides an inside look into the student experience that many constituents never hear about.

Austin Mullen, ‘19, MBA and M.S. Sports Administration student, said of being selected, “It is my hope that I will be able to engage prospective students, alumni, and friends of the University to illustrate how Ohio University has altered my life. Through this process, I hope to reconnect these individuals to OHIO and reinvigorate their passion for the institution, in hopes of increasing their overall commitment to the University.”

2018-19 Members

Presidential Graduate Student Leadership Society:

• Kendra Lutes, ’19, M.Ed. in College Student Personnel
• Stephen McNulty, ’19, Doctor of Medicine*
• Austin Mullen, ’19, MBA/M.S. in Sports Administration
• Susan Ngbabare, ’21, Ed.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs
• Gurneet Raina, ’20, Doctor of Medicine
• Cassandra Thompson, ’21, Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Allison Valeda-Maiden, ’21, M.S. in Counselor Education*

Presidential Leadership Society:

• Amal Afyouni, ’19, Political Science*
• Max Annable, ’19, Spanish*
• Amira Battle, ’19, Marketing
• Matthew Benson, ’20, Entrepreneurship*
• Brie Boothby, ’19, Journalism News and Information
• Aissatou Boye, ’20, Sociology, Criminology, and African Studies
• Natalie Butko, ’19, Strategic Communication
• Alvin Chaney, ’20, Industrial and Systems Engineering*
• Matthew Colpo, ’19, Biological Sciences
• Dylan Denner, ’19, Computer Engineering*
• Summer Finley, ’19, Acting Performance
• Megan Foley, ’19, Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism
• Justin Kelley, ’21, Finance
• Haley Kennedy, ’19, Psychology*
• Zachary Kennedy, ’19, Economics*
• Gabriella Lopez, ’19, Biology*
• Sahuaro Marzolf, ’19, International Business*
• Chais Michael, ’19, Child & Family Studies*
• Sarah Negash, ’20, Integrated Language Arts Education
• Helena Petrik, ’19, Finance*
• Ami Scherson, ’19, Music
• Hannah Steele, ’19, Geographic Information Systems
• Carlie Tianello, ’20, Political Science

*Denotes a Presidential Leader who is returning for their second year

For additional information, please visit www.ohio.edu/president/presidential-leadership-society.cfm