St. Thomas University took center stage at this year’s Annual the International Leadership Assocation’s Global Conference.
The recently formed undergraduate case study competition team – composed of Maria Vega, Paola Hechavarria, Enzo Migilano, Carlos Zhindon, & Derek Zamuria— placed third outshining other top tier universities and past competition winners, Kansas State University, University of San Diego, University of Maryland, and many others.
The students, a part of STU’s Gus Machado School of Business, traveled
alongside a group of STU professors to the conference for the very first time.
The case that they created addressed the cognitive, emotional, and physical wellness of student-athletes through a three-phase leadership development initiative with the NAIA. The initiative utilizes innovative mentoring and leadership programming to build community, reduce anxiety, and develop leadership skills with NAIA student-athletes and coaches.
“This issue is near and dear to my heart, as the Captain of the Bobcat Soccer team,” said student competitor Maria Vega. “Our approach creates the opportunity to leave our world better than we found it, and that is what leadership is all about.”
The 21st Annual Global Conference ILA conference was from October 24 to 27 in Ottawa, Canada, and included universities from across the globe.
“These students embody what leadership should look like,” said Tony Andenoro, one of the team’s coaches and Executive Director for the St. Thomas University Institute for Ethical Leadership. “Their work is with real people who are struggling with real problems, and the outcome is real change,”
The team was also coached by Dr. Jose Rocha and Dr. Lisa Knowles, faculty members in the Gus Machado School of Business.
“These students were winners the second they got on the plane but to see how they performed is an example of how great our students are,” said Rocha. “I am so lucky to get to work with students like this and watch as they contribute value to our world.”
Recently, STU launched the Institute for Ethical Leadership, the first of its kind in Florida. Part of the Gus Machado School of Business, the Institute will offer three new degree programs—a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in Ethical Leadership—that will be available in Spring 2020.
“Our students represented our university so well! They model our mission of leaders for life and it was amazing to watch them shine,” said STU Provost, Jeremy Moreland
