Student Story: Carlee Johnson

Carlee Johnson has been with the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL) since 2004.  She was selected as  one of the first scholarship students in the program upon graduating high school and now works as a student coordinator for the CAL.  While in the program Carlee has had the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Certification program which gives students a 10-step approach to leadership, and has also seen the program grow from 15 students to over 150 students in the previous years.  As a coordinator for the CAL program Carlee also had the opportunity to facilitate and organize the Presidential Leadership Program, which is a housing program for new students at UVU and also served as the student coordinator for the Ninth Annual Leadership Conference.  As a previous student coordinator for the center, Carlee focused on the mentor portion of the CAL, where she served as a liaison for community professionals as mentors and the CAL students. 

Student Story: Katie Sullivan

Major: Theatre Education / Minor: Music, Peace & Justice Studies, Leadership Certification

Katie has learned and grown so much through the Center for the Advancement of Leadership. In being trained on how to influence people, change her environment, and do the greater good for mankind she has been able to engage herself in several leadership positions. One of these included doing humanitarian service in Uganda in the summer of 2008 primarily working with children’s choirs and persons with disabilities. One individual that Katie worked with was a young mentally disabled girl named Jenny. Jenny spoke minimally and suffered from several physical handicaps; and yet through play time, dancing, and physical communication Katie and Jenny formed a great bond. In just the short eight weeks Katie was there she saw extensive improvement with Jenny. Katie trained Jenny and her mother proper activities for mental stimulation and muscle strength. At first a very shy girl, by the time Katie was scheduled to leave Africa Jenny had become a blossoming, growing, outgoing light of strength and happiness. Katie hopes that she had a part of that change. This is an example of just one experience Katie has been able to have through her personal growth and aspiration to do good in the world. Katie is so grateful the CAL center has all ready taught her so much and inspired her to take the opportunities to serve which come her way. She anticipates Jenny is one of the first of many people she will have the chance to teach and learn from.

By Matt Harrison

Student Story: Mike Kitto

Major: Finance

Utah Valley University is setting the new standard for leadership development as it hosts one of the nation’s premiere training institutes, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL).

One reason the Center is so successful is because of its primary method of teaching called Engaged Learning. Unlike most other training programs whose foundations are built on selling books, CD’s, pamphlets, seminars, workshops and so on, CAL provides an extensive, multi-layered, hands on model spanning from kindergarten through college.
The need for professional leadership training has risen as a top priority for students who see the benefit it can bring in their personal and professional lives. Mike Kitto, a student leader within the Center commented, “Leaderships in everything, no matter if it’s in our careers, religion or community.” In today’s competitive market, businesses place increasing value on graduates who need less training and already show they can deliver. Mike reflected these new expectations by saying,” Good grades aren’t everything anymore, they are still important but good communication skills, networking and getting along with others are also necessary for success.”

Through hands-on engagement coupled with classroom training on leadership principles, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership is fulfilling the job requirements of businesses. As a result, students who finish the program will have a definite advantage as they enter their careers.

By Matt Harrison

Student Story: Megan Aston

Major: Elementary Education

Utah Valley University is setting the new standard for leadership development as it hosts one of the nation’s premiere training institutes, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL).
One reason why the Center is so successful is because of its primary method of teaching called Engaged Learning. Unlike most other training programs whose foundations are built on selling books, CD’s, pamphlets, seminars, workshops and so on, CAL provides an extensive, multi-layered, hands on model spanning from kindergarten through college.

The need for professional leadership training has risen as a top priority for students who see the benefit it can bring in their personal and professional lives. Megan Aston, a student member of the Center commented,” It has given me a really positive social network and provides me with a clear picture of my goals.” In today’s competitive market, businesses place increasing value on graduates who need less training and already show they can deliver. Megan explained CAL helped her fulfill this need when she said,” I have been able to get my foot in the door with lots of opportunities I would not have had without CAL.”

Through hands-on engagement coupled with classroom training on leadership principles, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership is fulfilling the job requirements of businesses. As a result, students who finish the program will have a definite advantage as they enter their careers.

By Matt Harrison

Student Story: Jackie Fuller

Major: Political Science

Utah Valley University is setting the new standard for leadership development as it hosts one of the nation’s premiere training institutes, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL).

One reason the Center is so successful is because of its primary method of teaching called Engaged Learning. Unlike most other training programs whose foundations are built on selling books, CD’s, pamphlets, seminars, workshops and so on, CAL provides an extensive, multi-layered, hands on model spanning from kindergarten through college.

The need for professional leadership training has risen as a top priority for students who see the benefit it can bring in their personal and professional lives. Jackie Fuller, a student leader within the Center commented, “My life has changed because CAL provided me with skills to develop myself into something better.” In today’s competitive market, businesses place increasing value on graduates who need less training and already show they can deliver. Reflecting this attitude, Jackie stated how CAL has helped prepare her for the professional world, “I have direction, can lead others and myself.”
Through hands-on engagement coupled with classroom training on leadership principles, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership is fulfilling the high job requirements of businesses. As a result, students who finish the program will have a definite advantage as they enter their careers.

By Matt Harrison

Student Highlight: Colton Tran

Colton Tran shatters the boundaries people place upon themselves and their abilities by never limiting himself. Colton, a 19 year old sophomore from Layton, Utah is studying digital media at Utah Valley University and is a member of the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL), one of the nation’s premiere student leadership institutes at UVU. This summer he will be directing a feature film called Aunt Sylvias List starring Jennette McCurdy, from Nickelodeons top rated show i Carly and Danny Treo from MBC’s Life, Spy Kids, Desperado and Sin City 2. The film has been in six film festivals and won two awards for: “Best Family Film” at theBig Bear Film Festival and, “Audience Favorite” from the Gloria Film Festival. Colton has worked for Nickelodeon, won several awards forpast films, and makes frequent trips around the nation to be a part of different film projects. Colton’s membership in CAL has been a major resource in his career by helping him network, “it’s crazy how much of a difference networking makes, those contacts make a huge difference.” He went on to say, “CAL has helped me get into the circles I needed toas well as provided opportunities to practice film.” Colton feelsthere is a lack of professional leadership training within his industry,“Leadership is something a lot of film makers don’t have. They have some skill, but they don’t have something to show they received actual training.” Colton stated how professionals should be looking to hire CAL students, “because they take the best of the best. They take all the people who are heavily involved in leadership, even in high school,and bring them here.” Colton is a strong example of what happens when consistency, organization and goals are all working together in someone’s life.

By Matt Harrison