CHARGE! Emerging Leaders Program

by David Bish, 2016-2017 CHARGE Director

As a freshman, I knew I wanted to get involved on campus, but I really didn’t have much idea as to what I wanted to do. I only heard about CHARGE on a fluke and pretty much applied at the last minute. A lot of people in my freshman hall were applying, and I thought, “A leadership organization sounds cool. I guess I’ll apply too.” After that, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into CHARGE and now, CHARGE is one of the most important aspects of my college life.

In my first year of CHARGE, I had an awesome experience. I really enjoyed working with my group on our proposal, and even though I had to take time out of my day to meet with my group, I always looked forward to seeing my group and making progress on our proposal. I felt lucky to have such a great group for CHARGE, but I feel like some of my favorite CHARGE moments came during the leadership labs each week with the larger group. At these meetings, I felt that I really learned what it means to be a leader and how everyone has specific leadership skills. I steadily became more confident in myself and always felt comfortable talking in front of the CHARGE group. I think that first year of CHARGE is really when I started coming into my own as a college student.

For the past two years, I have taken on a different role in CHARGE as a CHARGE mentor. As a mentor, I have continued to love CHARGE, and I really enjoy seeing new participants develop as leaders the same way I did when I was a freshman. Now, as a senior, I am a CHARGE director, and I want to make sure CHARGE participants continue to have that same, great experience. I always tell freshman to get involved on campus, so that they can find something they are passionate about. For me, I have been thrilled to be involved in CHARGE for the past three years, and I can’t wait until CHARGE starts up again in the spring.