March 2008

Jepson Alumni Offer Advice, Share Real-World Experiences with Class


Several Jepson alumni enjoyed their leadership studies classes so much the first time around that they decided to go back. This time, though, they were in a different role.

The alumni returned to campus for Real World 2008 held Feb. 8-9. While on campus, they agreed to sit in on Dr. Gill Hickman’s Theories and Models of Leadership class to share their experiences, answer questions and offer advice to students.

“You’re looking at yourselves in the future,” one alumnus joked with the class.

Alumni who sat in on the class were John Renehan III, ’00, Brent Cesare, ’00, James Schettine, ’01, Kimberly Bowers, ’05, Jillian Fasching, ’05, Maurice Henderson, ’97, and Camille Hammond, ’97.

Alison Kulach, ’99, and Suezy Vaughan, ’06, participated in Real World events.

Students in the class quizzed the alumni on how to define a leadership studies education, what kind of values companies try to instill in employees and if there are certain qualities of leaders that work more positively or negatively.

Hickman asked the alumni to reflect on the concepts, principles or ways of leading that influence their day-to-day work and leadership.

The alumni encouraged students to really play up their leadership studies major or minor during interviews, be flexible in their career choices and to figure out what success means for them personally.

“Depending on your perspective, a person can be very successful or not successful at all,” Hammond said. “You as an individual have to determine what you’re looking for.”

Schettine encouraged students to lead by example and to do everything they ask others to do at least once. Fasching encouraged students to approach any job they do asking how they can give back instead of wondering what they can get out of the job.

Cesare, who works at the Atlanta Back Clinic and helps rehabilitate people who have suffered injuries, told the class that before he went back to school for physical therapy, he reflected on his gifts and what he could offer the world. “Now I ask myself how I can serve each person I’m with and be in that moment,” he said.

The alumni also encouraged students to be realistic.

“Do what you can every day and do the little things that matter,” Bowers told the class. “You graduate with the perspective that you can do anything and change the world. At some point you realize that you don’t wake up every day saying ‘I’m going to change the world today and end world poverty.’ It’s a cumulative effect.”

At the end of class, Hickman thanked the alumni, many of whom she taught. “I’m so proud of them and how they have turned out,” Hickman said. “Just like we hoped.”