Lauren Waldrip is the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement's Student Leader of the Week for May 1-7.

Waldrip is from Moro, Ark., and is majoring in business marketing.

Waldrip is an ASG senator, a Walton College Ambassador, and will be the 2011-12 ASG vice president. She is also involved in the ASG Ethics Committee, Razorback Athletics Marketing Association, Leadership Walton, Alpha Kappa Psi, American Marketing Association, Kappa Kappa Gamma Finance Committee and Public Relations Committee, Razorback Diamond Dolls, Global Greeks.

Waldrip believes that a leader must be able to trust other people. “Being involved in many organizations means we must be able to trust others with their own responsibilities. This allows a leader to focus on the bigger picture and work towards the greater good,” Waldrip explained. “Surround yourself with people who believe in you. There will always be an obstacle, but if you focus on the positive, you will be able to accomplish what you set out to do.”

Waldrip’s most memorable Razorback moment was at her first football game with her family at the age of five. She is so glad she was raised as a Razorback and can truly appreciate and respect the traditions of the University of Arkansas that have also become traditions for her family.

Her favorite quote is: “What you do today pays off tomorrow”

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 criteria for nominated students are: 

• Good academic and disciplinary standing with the University of Arkansas.
• Exemplifies leadership through personal development, organizational leadership, citizenship and community building. 

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 email at atsmith@uark.edu by the first Friday of each month. All nominations will be kept on file and considered for future weeks.