Junior Hailey Hoog has been selected as the Student Leader of the Month for February 2023. Originally from Jenks, Oklahoma, Hoog came to the U of A to study biomedical engineering. She is a part of the Honors College and currently serves as the student leader for Native American Initiatives for the Multicultural Center. She is also the director of academic affairs for the Associated Student Government.

Hoog got involved with these organizations because she cares deeply about academic equity, especially as it relates to making higher education a more welcoming environment for Native American and Alaska Native students and academic resource visibility.

"In these organizations," Hoog said, "I built relationships and found mentorship that made me want to stay involved and made my journey possible!"

Hoog believes that the two most important qualities of a leader are the abilities to listen and to make everyone on your team feel appreciated.

"Being able to listen to and incorporate diverse perspectives is important because no one person can represent the diverse experiences found on our campus, so being able to collaborate and amplify the thoughts, feelings and voices of others is crucial," Hoog said. "It's equally as important to make sure the people you work with feel appreciated and fulfilled to reduce burnout and build healthy working relationships."

Her advice to other student leaders is to give yourself grace. One of her favorite quotes is: "If being hard on yourself worked, it would've worked by now."

"No one expects you to do it all, so take time for yourself and the things that help you de-stress!"

She would like to thank Summer Rae Wilkie.

"If I turn out to be half the leader and advocate she is, I'll be doing something right," Hoog said. "Summer took me under her wing when I first started working for the Multicultural Center my freshman year, and we never looked back! We share pretty similar upbringings and a deep passion for Indigenous advocacy in higher education, and I'm incredibly lucky to have her guidance and support. I also owe Cael Losenegger a shout-out! He is easily one of the most incredible leaders I know, and getting to work with him has been such an honor. He makes those who work with him better, and I look up to him so much."

A leadership quote that Hoog wants to share is by Adrian Smith, director of the Multicultural Center:

"Find the hill you're willing to die on and be willing to die on it." 

Hoog heard Smith say this early on in her freshman year and has carried it with her ever since. 

"It has set the tone for my involvement and the passions I've explored, and I firmly believe it has made me a better leader," she said.

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