2017-2018 Fellows

Name: Molly DelCurto
Hometown:  Cove, OR
Major/Minor/Concentration: agricultural business management/animal science
Class Standing: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
I would like to sustain a management position in agricultural industry

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Someone who takes initiative and set a good example to those they are leading

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to improve on my people skills and to be able to articulate my thoughts and ideas better

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I believe it will help develop my leadership skills and bring me closer to other students with similar goals as me

Name: Anna Le
Hometown: Highland, CA
Major/Minor/Concentrations: Fisheries and Wildlife – specialization in marine and human dimensions, Minor: Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy
Class Standing 2017-2018: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
I would like to bridge the communication gap between scientist and policy makers in order to make better policies and regulations for the environment. My long term goal is to start a non-profit organization that inspires the future generations of students to go into a STEM field and provide opportunities to do so.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
A good leader is motivated to make a positive change by taking initiative and inspiring others to do the same. They lead with an open-mind and the understanding of different perspectives as well as compassions and kindness.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
To become more outspoken and a better advocate and to be able to speak in front of larger groups of people confidently.

How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I am expecting to meet others wanting to become better leaders and working together to do so. I am hoping to form a connection with my mentor and grow from the experience to be able to become an effective leader to carry out my career goals.

Name:  Adan Avila

Name: Karen Pierce
Hometown:Torrance, CA
Major/minor/concentrations: Recreation Resource Management, Minor in leadership
Class standing 2017-2018: Sophomore

What are your long-term career goals?
I want to be a park ranger educating the public on the importance of preserving and conserving our natural spaces.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
I think that empathy and integrity are two important aspects of being a good leader, and these traits can be easily overlooked in today’s world.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I would like to advance my professional relationships with my peers and those already in my chosen field.

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect the leadership academy to support my efforts in personal growth as well as give me an opportunity to connect with likeminded peers

Name:  Roxana Navarro

Name:  Ian Oppenlander

Name: Quinton Big Knife
Hometown: Madras, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Forest management/leadership
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior

What are your long-term career goals?
To get a job for a federal company or private in forestry

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Someone who is humble, listens, caring, but at the same time can step up and be serious when the time comes

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to grow personally and work on my weaknesses as well as my strengths

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I hope the leadership academy will broaden my horizon on the people that I am me and make connections with

Name: Molly Doherty
Hometown: Arbuckle, Calitoria
Major/minor/concentrations: Agriculture business management Communication Minor
Class standing 2017-2018: Second Year

What are your long-term career goals?
I hope to find my place in agriculture industry. I want to be an advocate for the industry the feeds the world. I plan to work alongside my family’s farm for generations. I have always recognize the value that agriculture holds, I want to help everyone recognize that about you

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
A good leader is confident in their abilities, leaders are able to listen and give feedback. Leaders take responsibility and work to pursue their goals. Leaders are also effective communicators that communicate to learn, understand and teach

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to become a more involved member of the OSU community. I hope to also learn more about my strengths and my weaknesses. With more knowledge about how I can improve, and ways to develop my own leadership style

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
Leadership Academy will allow me to step out of my comfort zone and to grow as an individual and leader. I hope to create relationships with other students in my mentor, that can change me and push me too grow

Name: Mireya Vazquez
Hometown: Dayton, Oregon
Major/Minor/Concentration: Animal Science with an option in pre-vet med and minor in visual arts
Class Standing: senior

What are your long-term career goals?
I would one day like to be a veterinarian for wildlife and exotics with a focus in endangered species. I would also like to get more involved and advocate for conservational efforts overseas.

In two to three sentences, what characteristics make a good leader?
I think it takes not only confidence to be a good leader but it also takes a good listener and someone who can be open minded when approaching a problem.  I would also say a good leader is compassionate and interested in the well being of others. They are someone who leads by example and someone who facilitates a healthy environment that plays to the strengths of their team.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
I would like to gain more confidence in my own abilities and what I can bring to a group. It’s hard not to compare yourself to your peers and want to blend with the group. However, everyone has something unique and powerful to offer in his or her personal and professional lives. Often times it is those differences that end up making a team stronger.

How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State University?
It will help me build new friendships and connections with my peers and OSU staff but I also feel like it will give me the confidence to take risks and pursue leadership positions that I may have not considered before being a part of the leadership academy. Above all, this program will be helping me pave a strong foundation for the leadership skills I will be using in the future as a veterinarian and a member of our society.

Name: Taylor Betz
Hometown: Hermiston, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Agriculture business management minor: animal sciences
Class standing 2017-2018: Sophmore

What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goals are to be successful and find happiness in whatever it is I choose to do

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
What makes a good leader in my opinion is someone who is willing to learn and grow. They are someone who has a want and desire to succeed, and they want to see others do the same

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to see a lot of growth within myself. More specifically I want to be pushed out of my comfort zone, I want to be able to find comfortability in something that would otherwise be uncomfortable more specifically I want to be pushed out of my comfort zone, I want to be able to find comfort ability in something that would otherwise be uncomfortable.

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I see the leadership academy opening up doors for me, but also allowing me to make new relationships with those who are also like-minded and driven. I am excited for this year

Name: Mary Graham
Hometown:Tigard, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: food science, with a minor in chemistry
Class standing 2017-2018: Sophmore

What are your long-term career goals?
Many things seem so exciting and interesting top of my list would be to use chemistry and food science to improve growth of certain foods in environment where growing and Obtaining food is difficult or just improving food products to last longer and worth more nutritious value

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
 Ability to communicate effectively feel confident in what they’re doing and the choices they are making, listening to thoughts and ideas of others in creatively using them in order for people to feel they are being listened to

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
Speaking publicly without getting nervous, jumbling my words, coming across as a cold person, communicating effectively with others

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I hope to make friends with a diverse group of individuals that all have similar interest in bettering the agricultural world. I also hope to come out as a better leader in use my skills in my classes and Job

Name: Mathis Kuenzi
Hometown: Silverton, OR
Major/Minor/Concentration: Agriculture Business Management Major, Crop Science Minor
Class Standing: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
I hope to begin my career as a farm credit officer. Then, later in my career, I hope to explore options in the Finance world; financial planning/advising, investments and risk management.

In two to three sentences, what characteristics make a good leader?
An effective leader will lead by example. Additionally, one must be confidant in his/herself, yet always humble.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
I hope to become a better communicator and conversationalist through Leadership Academy. And yes, of course a stronger leader. I wish to get to know myself better so that I will make beneficial decisions for the future.  
How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State University?
I expect Leadership Academy will expose me to a new group of students that I haven’t met yet. Furthermore, this exposure will help me better understand others on campus with different backgrounds and experiences.

Name: Julia Barnes
Hometown: Milwaukie, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Animal Science, Range
Class standing 2017-2018: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
Ranch Management or Feedlot Mng.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Being able to communicate, Positive attitude, level headedness, able to address conflict, & accountability. Role model

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to grow in my self-confidence when it comes to interacting with new people.

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect that it will get me out of my comfort box and will give me the opportunity to meet other students with different Ag focuses as well as industry professionals to network with.

Name: Bob Coleman
Hometown: Hermiston, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Agricultural business management
Class standing 2017-2018: Sophmore

What are your long-term career goals?
Work in the ag industry somewhere in Hermiston area

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Honestly, work ethic and commitment are some of the many characteristics that I think make a good leader

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I want to improve on my weaknesses and find out more about myself

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I think the leadership Academy will enhance my experience at OSU by helping me meet new people and become a more well-rounded person which will help me experience new things here at OSU

Name: Sonya Bedge
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: bio resource research, toxicology
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior

What are your long-term career goals?
After graduating I hope to go to medical school and become a physician. Well I don’t know which specific area yet, I am interested in mental health and the technical science behind Medicine

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
The abilities to relate to and charge the strengths and weaknesses of others. It’s most important to relate well to others to give them a sense of belonging to the group, and then important to see their strengths to see how they can best help the team

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to improve my interpersonal skills and become better at building professional relationships both with my peers in those above me, as well as to understand my own strengths and weaknesses better

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
Through the leadership academy I hope to become better connected to both the college and university so that I can hopefully take advantage of more opportunities that are offered

Name: Melissa Robell
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Major/minor/concentrations: Fisheries and wildlife, minor animal science
Class standing 2017-2018: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
To work with wildlife internationally as a wildlife biologist, I am also interested in human/wildlife conflict so I may go into that as well since I care about people

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Being able to delegate, connected people, prioritize, motivate and encourage other people in your team, having strong relationships and connections and having a strong passion for your cause

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I want to take the time to self-reflect as a leader and plan some long-term goals, sometimes it’s hard to Think outside of what is immediately happening

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
It will allow me to take a step back to evaluate myself in order to develop myself further before I graduate

Name: Holly Omoto
Hometown: Corvallis, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: I am majoring in animal sciences with the option of pre-veterinary medicine and the minor in leadership
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior

What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goals are to improve the physical health and quality-of-life of animals as a certified veterinary acupuncturist, Build meaningful professional relationships with my clients and coworkers, and serve my community by providing affordable care through the practice of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
In my opinion, a good leader is responsible, respectful, and motivated. In terms of action, a good leader listens to understand others, provides emotional support for others, encourages the growth of others. Finally, a good leader strives to bring out the best in others and him or herself

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
My goals for the leadership academy route to learn about my strings and weaknesses as a leader, improve my weaknesses, and sharpen my strengths. Specifically, I hope to work on professional skills such as networking and making a good first impression. I also hope to build my confidence in my leadership abilities

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I am passionate about leadership, but it has been hard for me to find peers and mentors who share my passion. I expect that the leadership academy will provide me with a community of people who value leadership. Being a member in this type of community will allow me opportunities to learn from others, serve others, and teach others.

Name: Marie Thompson

Name: Jhonnelle Young
Hometown: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Major/minor/concentrations: Animan Science, Pre-Vet option
Class standing 2017-2018: Sophomore

What are your long-term career goals?
When I first began this track, I wanted to go to vet school after undergraduate degree. But different interests have crossed my path now and now I’m not sure if I want to go to vet school.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
A good leader must be understanding and compassionate. A good leader must be strong and have the willingness to say no

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to build my confidence in my public speaking abilities. I hope through leadership academy I will be able to go up to anyone and build and establish a conversation and be confident in doing so

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
Being in a program such as this will allow me to gain a few more friends as well as some more Things that will further what I have planned for my future at OSU

Name: Megan Ooi
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Major/minor/concentrations: Food science & technology, Minor in chemistry
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior/Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
Work as a QA in a food company. Slowly make my way up the food chain,  be satisfied and content with the work that I do

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?

  • Good communication with team members
  • cares for those around them
  • able to motivate others encourage them to reach their goals
  • not only speaks but listens as well

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?

  • Learn about my strengths as a leader
  • public speaking
  • improve on my weaknesses how to turn my weaknesses into a strength
  • Better communication and more understanding of others

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?

  • Learn about others in the college of ag and build a lasting connection
  • expanding my horizons beyond my major department and even the workplace
  • I’m only in University for four years I would like to get the most out of my four years here and that in some form will shave me my future goals

Name: Trent Gianella
Hometown: Hubbard, Oregon
Major/minor/concentrations: Fisheries and Wildlife
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior

What are your long-term career goals?
I hope to go to grad school after working in the field for a couple years. I want to read projects and keep moving up the ladder working for Oregon fish and wildlife

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
I think a good leader has strong believes, can fight through adversity, puts others before themselves, is never complacent and always striving for more.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to become a more out and going vocal leader. I tend to always win through my actions and I think I could benefit if I became more comfortable and outgoing when talking

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I think that will allow me to make close relationships with many people. It will help me become a leader on campus, my fraternity, in my community. I think it will give Oregon state a more close knit feeling

Name: Kelly Shotwell
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Major/Minor/Concentration: Natural Resources
Class standing for 2017-2018 year: Senior
 
What are your long-term career goals?
I want to make the world a better place by educating people and making them aware of the various systems of our planet. To do this, I hope to work as a Park Ranger, a city natural resources manager, and possibly do field research for NOAA.
 
In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
I believe I am open minded, hard working, and am able to incorporate various perspectives into decisions and conversations.
 
In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
I hope to be able to be more confident, develop management skills, and administer conversations of debate. I think these skills will help me immensely in life and for my career.
 
How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I hope to gain friendships, knowledge, and personal growth through the Leadership Academy. This will allow me to see my progression through the school year while also gaining meaningful relationships. I truly believe the Leadership Academy will prepare me for my future after gradutation.

Name: Kristiana Gutierrez

Name: Deric Ntirandekura
Hometown: Portland OR
Major/Minor/Concentration: BioResource Research and Computer Science
Class Standing: Junior

 What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goals are to work on a research team to develop more effective medication using bioinformatics.

In two to three sentences, what characteristics make a good leader?
Versatility And Confidence are characteristics that make a good leader. Being versatile will allow you to work with a large spectrum of people. and confidence will help people trust and follow you.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
I would like to grow my leadership skill, diversify my problem-solving skills and approaches and finally grow my network.

How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State University?
Getting involved on campus allows you to feel more connected to the community. I believe the leadership academy will help me feel more connected to this campus which will ultimately help me be more successful here at OSU.

Name: Madeline Sheveland
Hometown:Canby, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Agriculture business management minor: animal sciences
Class standing 2017-2018:

What are your long-term career goals?
I am currently still working on my long-term career goals. I am passionate about agriculture and love the community it has built. I plan on being heavily involved in the industry, working with people and furthering the betterment of  Ag.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
Open-mindedness, flexibility, adaptability, decisiveness, positivity, and a willingness to learn. They must also be compassionate and a solid role model to those around them.

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a leader and use that knowledge to help myself grow. I hope to become more confident in myself and my decisions, and make as many connections with those around me as I can. I strongly believe that there is so much to learn from everyone I am excited to discover what others have to say.

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect leadership academy to enhance my experience at Oregon State by opening doors to opportunities on campus I did not know about or would have not been able to participate in before. I also anticipate it enhancing my experience by growing the pool of people I know here at the University through networking with my cohort, and hopefully making some awesome new friends in the process.

Name: Kevin Keys
Hometown: The Dalles, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Fisheries and wildlife
Class standing 2017-2018: Post-Bac

What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term goals are to be involved with policy change at a national and global level that affords wildlife greater protections. I strongly believe in the conservation of the natural world and I want to be part of organizations that have these values

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
A good leader is someone who can motivate people to strive for their greatest potential. A leader can bring together people of different opinions to achieve a common goal

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
Through my involvement with the leadership academy I hope to become a person other people can you look to for guidance. I hope to become someone who is consistently involved in positive change

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect the leadership Academy will enhance my experience at Oregon State by exposing me to different views and opening I have avenues of networking for my future career

Name: Stephanie breazile
Hometown: Hillsboro, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Major: agricultural sciences minor: leadership
Class standing 2017-2018: Junior

What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goals is to become a high school agricultural education instructor

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
I believe the willingness to learn, dependability, willingness to serve others, and authentic are a few characteristics that make a good leader

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to grow my personal leadership by getting out of my comfort zone more

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect the leadership academy to enhance my experience by providing hands on experiences while we develop our leadership skills

Name: Danielle Bull
Hometown: Damascus, Oregon
Major/Minor/Concentration: Major: Agricultural Sciences, Minor; Leadership
Class Standing for 2017-2018 year: Senior

What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goal is to become a high school agricultural instructor who is also an FFA advisor.
 
In your opinion, what characteristics makes a good leader?
I believe that honesty, having an open mind, confidence and creativity are characteristics the make a great leader.
 
In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the Leadership Academy?
I hope to grow in my confidence level as a leader and learn more about how to involve everyone in a group.
 
How do you expect the Leadership Academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I expect the Leadership Academy to enhance my experience at Oregon State by providing me the opportunity to go outside my comfort zone by meeting all the new members of the Academy. I hope to get to know more about the staff/ mentors. The service learning project will also help enhance my experience at Oregon State.

Name: Zack Taylor
Hometown:Portland, OR
Major/minor/concentrations: Natural resources with a focus and outdoor leadership and adventure education also a leadership minor
Class standing 2017-2018: 5th year

What are your long-term career goals?
I would love to work in the outdoor education and leadership field. If I can be working with people in the outdoors and be teaching them, either outdoor skills, leadership skills, or life skills I will be happy.

In your opinion, what characteristics make a good leader?
I believe that there are many things that make a good leader although a couple of characteristics that are very important our trust worthiness, genuine, honesty, and a willingness to grow and learn and a desire to do well

In what specific areas do you hope to grow through your involvement in the leadership academy?
I hope to gain a better understanding of my own leadership and the areas in which I am strong and the areas where I am weak. By knowing this I can know what I should keep doing and developing as well as learning the areas I have for growth. Additionally I hope to gain new and different perspectives of leadership

How do you expect the leadership academy to enhance your experience at Oregon State?
I think the leadership academy will enhance my experience by going hand in hand with my degree and my leadership minor, and it will add to both. Additionally this will give me another group to be involved with on campus and another area to meet more people in the OSU community