I came to George Mason University with a goal to do my best academically but also gain independence and truly reach my full potential. I did not know how that was going to be achieved or whether or not I would even successfully accomplish even a little bit of that, but luckily for me I have had the opportunity to work in offices like LEAD who have helped me establish the confidence to go after my goals and also become a better person. My time spent working with the LEAD office has been amazing and fulfilling. I have had the opportunity to work along side individuals who the passion, charisma, and ambition to be the ones who change the world. I truly have learned so much about how important it is to care about something or else you will allow anything to get by without notice. I owe a lot of the valuable time spent in the office to them. They have motivated me to leave a legacy of helping others develop their passions.

I have learned that your work reflects your passion and no matter what obstacles are thrown at you, your product will appeal to any onlooker because they will see the heart behind what you have done. Because of the LEAD office I have gained the skills to not only plan events thoroughly, but I have learned that a timeline is never a bad thing. I have gained many organizational skills that will take me far in any workforce. With the help of binders with helpful tools, to weekly meetings that allowed for each consultant to be professional but still feel a part of a team made the biggest difference. There were many weeks where I felt completely overwhelmed but it was the structure yet fun environment of the LEAD office that made it all worth it. Not only did I appreciate the time I spent within the LEAD office but also I really appreciated the respect the LEAD office had for my other obligations to my faith and my academics. I leave the office with the same call to action that I had in high school, “How will you bring on the change in your community?” – Laura Freeman