Starting a new year

Another year, another class of Blueprints Leadership. This makes my heart happy. Welcome to the 2009-2010 class, a group filled with intelligent, capable leaders who are committed to a year-long journey of leadership!

Today, we head to downtown Detroit for an amazing tour with Inside Detroit and a chance to re-evaluate the way we think about making change. Does one need to have millions of dollars to make change? No. Does someone need to be as smart as Albert Einstein to make change? No. On this tour we'll see examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary work in OUR community.

This is probably one of my favorite days of the year as we get to see change in action! But for those of you who either aren't in Blueprints this year or have been a part in the past - how are you making change in your community???

What does it mean to be an inclusive leader?

How often do we really think about this topic in leadership? Do we surround ourselves by people who don't look, act or think like us? Are we certain we've included everyone at our tables of leadership? Why is this important? How can we change communities we don't understand? So, if we don't honestly understand the issues of everyone in our communities, aren't we missing out on incredible opportunities to change the world?

I think that as a real leader it is our responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. Not just heard, but valued.

How will I change the world with my vision?

Listening to different students share their visions with each other, I am continually amazed by not only the burning desire of college students to make a difference, but also their commitment, creativity and ingenuity in attempting to solve critical social issues. I can only smile when I think about this. You may say, why is that relevant to the question -- how will I change the world with my vision? Here's a hint (and don't tell anybody): inspiring college students in leadership and social change is my vision! That's how I am changing the world! As I watch young adults find their passion and become leaders with a purpose, I know that I am changing the world, one life at a time.

Theodore Hesburgh Quote...

"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."
- Theodore Hesburgh

I love this quote. I think that vision is everything in accomplishing your dreams. If you don't have vision, you're lost. Vision helps us to see exactly what we can be, long before we know it's really possible. We all have a vision -- just sometimes we don't know what it is.

What is your vision? Where will you take your life? How will you make a difference? If everyone spent a little time thinking about this, how would the world be different?

I am an architect of change...

It's really exciting to think about being an architect of change. In fact, it can be overwhelming. How do I define being an architect of change? Well, I define it by doing something proactively and positively to make a difference! And, I think deep down inside, we're all architects!

We generally don't think about all the ways that we make positive change everyday -- but in fact we do! How? Well, for me, it's all about making a difference to college students and helping them find the leaders inside them. I know that through my work I'll be sending young women and men out to improve their communities, create new and exciting opportunities for others less fortunate than them, lead with purpose and integrity and just plain make a difference.

I love thinking about being an architect of change. Architects create beautiful, significant structures for others -- so what will you create?

How will I discover my passions? What is my story?

So, how will I discover my passions? Every time I hear, read or watch someone talking about their passions -- I think about the same thing! (Maybe that's why I assigned this blog topic...) and since Tom Patterson talked to us about the importance of really knowing about ourselves and following our passions, I think it's a great time to think about what is really meaningful to us.

Everyday I am seeking out my passions, one of which is leadership. I discover this every single day through constant work with students and watching students "get it". For me, a major passion in my life is helping others find their passion. Seeing someone have an "aha" moment as they say, or discovering something new about themselves -- such as a quality, talent or skill is so exciting to me! Through my work in leadership, I get to witness that happen everyday.

I will continue to discover my passions by constantly educating myself and seeking out new information, resources and people. I hope that others will help me in this journey! I am so excited to work with the 2008-2009 Blueprints students to develop passions and create real social change.

You can change the world. You can be an architect of change.

It's that time....

This post is going to be short and to the point...

Blueprints Leadership Program applications are now available!

Pick one up in the Student Activities Office (2136 UC) or on our website: http://sao.umd.umich.edu/sao_blueprints/

If you're interested in applying, the deadline is Friday, September 19th at 5pm. If you've already been through the program, nominate or encourage another student!

I can't wait to start receiving applications! Contact me if you have any questions -- akaraban@umd.umich.edu