Student Leader of the Week: Jessica Nichols

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Jessica Nichols

Jessica Nichols is the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement's Student Leader of the Week for April 10-19. She is from Tontitown, Ark., and is majoring in psychology.

Nichols teaches a high school religion class every Wednesday night, and sings for the church choir on Saturdays. She also works as a PAL in the Off-Campus Connections office to learn more about the university, and to help her fellow students when they were in need of information.

Nichols finds selflessness and being a good listener as key characteristics of a leader. "If, as a leader, you are only concerned with what is best for you, then you won't be able to lead your group to the best solution for them. A selfless leader considers the group above him/her at all times. Equally important is the ability to listen. If you only believe your solution is the best, you could lead them astray. A good leader takes into consideration everyone's thoughts and needs, and then presents a solution that would be best," she explained. "The best advice you can give to other leaders is to believe in yourself. If you are confident in your abilities to lead, and you exemplify the characteristics of a leader, then those you lead will be in good hands."

Her most memorable Razorback moment was at her first Razorback football game, as she experienced the irreplaceable Razorback atmosphere.

Her favorite quote is from Richard Bach: "Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't."

The Student Leader of the Week award recognizes a University of Arkansas undergraduate student for excellence in leadership through campus involvement leadership activities or through volunteer and community service programs.

The Center for Leadership and Community Engagement invites the campus community to nominate students who fit the qualifications. All nomination forms should be submitted to Adrain Smith, assistant director of leadership in the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, Arkansas Union room A665, or via e-mail at atsmith@uark.edu by the first Friday of each month. All nominations will be kept on file and considered for future weeks.