Some of my most formative leadership lessons at Walla Walla University did not happen in a classroom.
They happened in ASWWU meetings, during challenging conversations with peers and in moments when I realized that leadership was less about having answers and more about showing up faithfully.
When I arrived at WWU, I already believed deeply in Adventist education. I chose Walla Walla intentionally, not just for academics, but because I wanted to grow spiritually and be part of a community that took faith seriously. What I did not yet know was how much responsibility I would be entrusted with during my time there, and how profoundly that responsibility would shape the rest of my life.
My involvement in ASWWU leadership became one of the defining experiences of my college years. Student government placed me at the intersection of vision, execution, and accountability. We were stewarding real budgets, navigating conflict, responding to student needs and working closely with administrators, faculty, and staff. It was leadership with real consequences. I learned quickly that decisions affect people in ways you cannot always anticipate, and that trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild.
Those experiences forced me to grow up fast. I learned how to listen carefully, how to lead collaboratively, and how to take responsibility when things did not go as planned. Perhaps most importantly, I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about creating space for others to belong, contribute, and thrive.
Academically, WWU sharpened how I think and communicate. I was challenged to engage ideas thoughtfully, articulate convictions clearly, and wrestle honestly with faith. Professors and mentors modeled a version of Adventism that was intellectually curious, spiritually grounded, and deeply compassionate. That integration of faith, thought, and action became foundational to how I would later approach leadership and community-building.
As I began my post-WWU life as a professional, I carried a growing burden for young professionals who were drifting away from church not because they had rejected faith, but because they could not find community, purpose, or a place to ask honest ques tions. I kept noticing the same pattern again and again. Capable, thoughtful young adults loved God, but felt disconnected from church structures that did not seem built with them in mind.
That burden eventually became Adventist Young Professionals.
AYP did not begin with a strategic plan or a vision deck. It emerged from years of listening, observing, and remembering what had formed me at Walla Walla. WWU had shown me what intentional, values-driven community could look like when lead ership was trusted, voices were heard, and faith was woven into everyday life. AYP became an attempt to extend that experience beyond the campus and into cities, workplaces, and adult life.
Today, Adventist Young Professionals has grown into a global movement engaging more than 12,000 young professionals around the world. It is supported by a team of over 200 volunteer leaders who give their time, skills, and hearts to building community, fostering spiritual growth, and helping others integrate faith and vocation. What began as a simple idea has grown into chapters, gatherings, and initiatives that continue to impact lives far beyond what I imagined as a college student sitting in business classes or ASWWU meetings.
Leading AYP at this scale has been both deeply rewarding and deeply stretching. Growth brings complexity, and influence brings responsibility. I have learned that vision alone is not enough. Sustainability, systems, humility, and patience matter just as much. There were seasons when progress felt slow, resources felt thin, and the path forward was unclear. In those moments, my spiritual life was not an accessory to leadership. It was the foundation. Prayer, discernment, and trust in God’s timing became daily practices rather than abstract ideals.
What has surprised me most is how much leadership has changed me. In college, I thought leadership meant momentum and effectiveness. Today, I see it as stewardship and multiplication. Success is not measured only by growth or visibility, but by whether others are being equipped, empowered, and trusted to lead well themselves.
If I could speak directly to current WWU students, I would tell them this: do not rush clarity. Say yes to responsibility when it is offered. Lean into community. Let college be a place where your character is shaped, not just your résumé. God often uses the ordinary, unseen moments to prepare you for work you cannot yet imagine.
Walla Walla University prepared me not just to lead an organization, but to lead people with conviction, humility, and hope. For that, I remain deeply grateful.
Posted March 24, 2026
