Sophomore Gary Jackson has been selected as the Student Leader of the Month for November 2021. Originally from Pocahontas, Arkansas, Jackson came to the U of A to study biology and chemistry. He is currently involved with Students with Refugees and the Associated Student Government as the director of physical health, and he is the Find Your Impact coordinator in the Volunteer Action Center. In addition to his involvement, Jackson is a small groups leader at Potter's House.

Jackson said he got involved in these organizations because he always strives to make a difference in any community that he's in. "I knew coming to campus as a freshman that I wanted to put myself in positions where I could serve others," he said. "I tried to find [organizations] that best complemented both my skillset as a leader and my interests in order to maximize my impact in those respective positions."

Jackson believes that every great leader must be an active listener and strong communicator and always seeking to be aware of their own weaknesses so they may improve upon themselves. His advice for other students is to empower others. "The best leaders I have ever seen or been able to work with are not those who focus on the power that comes with their positions, but those who use their positions to enable others to be leaders themselves."

Jackson would like to thank Pierce Reitnauer for being an amazing mentor to him. "Pierce is someone who selflessly works to complement me in the best ways possible, whether it be providing insight on ideas that I may have, helping open doors to opportunities that I may not be able to open myself, or encouraging collaboration in certain ideas I may have and occasionally helping connect me to the appropriate people," he said. "His knowledge as a leader and a mentor is something I find to be invaluable in everything that I do, and I cannot thank him enough."

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.