Senior Breanna Lewis has been selected as the Student Leader of the Month for April 2021. Originally from Pine Ridge, Breanna came to the U of A to study human development and family sciences. She is currently working for the second year with Jacquelyn Mosley in developing strategies to enhance cultural competence within Arkansas 4-H. Additionally, Breanna sits on the board for Human Environmental Sciences Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and has been a National 4-H Conference facilitator for the last three years.

Lewis said she got involved in these organizations because she wanted to find opportunities to succeed. She writes, "I was able to find projects that were really interesting that worked alongside my degree, which helped me succeed in my coursework."

Lewis believes the most important qualities and characteristics in a leader are active listening, respect and passion. Her advice for other students is that "failure is not what defines your worth. Being a leader is understanding that failure will happen eventually, and when that time comes, even when it seems the hardest, there are still people looking up to you and many who are supporting your future success."

Lewis' favorite quote regarding leadership is from Eleanor Roosevelt: "A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves."

Lewis would like to thank her mentor, associate professor Jacquelyn Mosley, for helping her find her spot as a student on campus. "I truly would not be in this position today if it weren't for her, and I hope to be half the mentor she has been to me one day."

The Student Leader of the Month award, sponsored by New Student & Family Programs, recognizes U of A undergraduate students for their excellence in leadership through campus involvement, leadership activitie, or through volunteer and community service. More information about the award can be found here.