Senior Ashton Stephens has been selected as the Student Leader of the Month for September 2021. Originally from Springdale, Arkansas, she came to the U of A to study biology and is pre-med with a minor in Spanish and medical humanities. Stephens currently works as a resident assistant for University Housing and previously served as the president of the first-year honor society, Alpha Lambda Delta. She also holds a volunteer leadership position in the early childhood ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Fayetteville.  

Stephens said she got involved in these organizations to help support the Fayetteville community in a variety of ways, helping to address their physical, emotional and mental needs. "Each of these organizations I am involved in has provided a unique way to serve different populations and given me the chance to do my small part in meeting needs and desires of other people," she said.

Stephens believes the most important quality and characteristic in a leader is balancing humility and confidence in their abilities. "Knowing and owning your own weakness but still offering everything you have to meet the needs of the situation, I believe, is the best version of leading by example," she said. "My goal in any leadership position is not to teach others to mimic me, but to show them how to be bold and brave and humble themselves so that they can in turn lead with their greatest strengths at the forefront."

Her advice for other students is "to approach everything in service." She noted that the efforts to help and serve others is always "worth the cost," whether that be for an individual, a community or to grow a cause.

Her favorite quote regarding leadership is by the religious leader Thomas Monson: "Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose in our own lives." Stephens said that she has had this quote hanging in her room for multiple years and noted that it "drive(s) every priority in my day and every step I take." 

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 activities or through volunteer and community service. More information about the award can be found here.