I will strive to embody a selfless attitude in order to will the common good for all. I will create a positive and inclusive environment for those around me. I will hold true to my values and authentically live out my mission to make the world a better place, no matter how big or small it may be.
My name is Kate Tax, and I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in healthcare administration and policy, and I am on the pre-occupational therapy track. At Creighton, I have been involved in the Freshman Leadership Program, New Student Orientation, Christian Life Community, Schlegel Center of Service and Justice, weekly service, and fraternity and sorority life. I had the opportunity to lead two religious retreats along with being team manager of our varsity volleyball team my senior year of highschool. I also was a campus captain for the national non-profit organization The Hidden Opponent where I helped raise awareness for student athlete mental health. I have seen such positive meaningful leadership through my parents, mentors, and family members, and I hope to continue to embody this narrative throughout my leadership positions here at Creighton and beyond.
Jesuit Values
LDR 220
Jesuit values provide a guiding light in my life and help me to strive to become the best version of myself. The Jesuit values, men and women with and for others, solidify the notion that we are made for community and that each human plays a role in helping to achieve that. This Jesuit value is important to me because throughout my life, I have been blessed with tremendous relationships and opportunities to be in nurturing communities, and I want to give others the chance to have these experiences as well. I live out this Jesuit value in my own life by including others, making time for relationships and community, and participating in organizations and clubs that are bigger than myself. This Jesuit value relates to working with others because in the workplace, I will be faced with people with different backgrounds, and the value empowers me to treat everyone with human dignity and respect. This value is unique to my servant leadership style because it motivates me to look out for others and put the needs of others before myself.
I have really enjoyed the Habitudes we have discussed in class. My favorite habitude has been the Thermometer or Thermostat leadership analogy. I find myself to be a mix of both. In moments, usually with more dominating personalities, I tend to be a thermometer and go with the flow. In more intimate settings, I find myself to be a thermostat, leading the discussion and encouraging thoughtful input from my peers. My leadership can be situational, and I hope it will become more fluid into one coherent style with time. I am known to be a very type-A individual, always wanting things to go perfectly as planned. College has challenged me with this because so many things seem out of my control. In order to combat this, I have reframed my thoughts and reminded myself that a bit of spontaneity is good. I try not to let too much get to me; I know in the grand scheme of things, the small stuff that gets to me won’t matter years down the line.
FLP Aspects
Seminar 1
My favorite seminar of first semester has been when Dr. Erika Kirby presented. I really appreciated the passion Dr. Kirby has for her work, and she shed light on some very important topics and issues. I learned the effects of micro-aggressions and how, in a position of leadership, we must be aware of our biases when interacting with others. This seminar has helped me become more aware of my implicit biases and helped me recognize where I may need some improvement. I want to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone around me as a leader, so I will emphasize using inclusive language and treating everyone with human dignity. I will be using these concepts as I continue to pursue leadership positions and encourage others to keep these ideas in mind when interacting with others.
Semester 1 Service Reflection
Service is the giving of oneself in order to better another. I felt like this motto was truly prevalent at my service site. When I sorted through donations for the Sienna Francis homeless shelter, I gave my time and energy to those living in poverty to get the necessities they need. Social justice is the principle that everyone deserves the same opportunities, resources, and social relationships. Social justice can be achieved in big or small ways, from making political change to attending service to serve vulnerable populations. When I sorted through donations, whether it was folding clothes or organizing toiletries, my service was going to allow them the opportunity to have some of the same resources everyone else had.
Seminar 2
We had a seminar with Alice Wallace-Wong, who is a social worker from Hawaii. She emphasized the importance of knowing your strengths so you are able to use them wisely. I appreciate this because we know ourselves, and being confident will help us work more effectively with others. Ms. Wallace-Wong also said that leaders who don’t show up with intentions and willingness to be positive, then what’s the point? I found this to be profound because coming into a space with a closed-off mindset does no one any good. It helps me ponder the idea of what I am giving to a space and what I am taking away from it. Life isn’t about what you can take; it's about what you can give. Being a leader doesn’t look like always being put together. It comes with its ups and downs, but we are called to rise above adversity when we find ourselves in the lows.
Semester 2 Service Reflection
In the second semester, I served at Completely Kids. Completely Kids is a non-profit organization that serves as an after-school and summer program for kids. I would hang out with the kids at the lunch tables, clean surfaces, and do activities such as making bracelets or playing basketball. I have always loved working with kids, and serving at Completely Kids has only strengthened this. Completely Kids serves a very diverse range of children. This experience helped me see the cultural aspects of the Omaha community and helped strengthen my knowledge of other cultural backgrounds. I would love to continue serving at Completely Kids because it fosters a positive environment for both the volunteers and the kids it serves. They are making a significant impact on the Omaha community, and I would love to continue supporting this cause.
Seminar 3
Candi Johnson, who is the CEO of Girls Inc., came and spoke to us about her story and leadership journey. She lit up the room from the moment she walked in and embodied complete confidence when speaking to her audience. I loved getting to hear her talk because she had such a positive message, and she motivated me to be a better version of myself. She shared her journey of growing up and how her past has affected her demeanor today. Girls Inc. is all about empowering strong, smart, and bold young women. Many of these girls are low-income in the North Omaha area. Candi exemplifies a servant leader. She emphasizes the importance of being a mentor for others because her own mentor helped shape her into the woman she is today. Servant leadership is the giving of one’s time and energy to help others reach their full potential, which is something I strive to do in my own personal life.
Professionalism in College
Professionalism is important in college because it helps prepare students for their future mannerisms in the workforce. It helps us show respect to those around us, especially to those of a higher authority and level of education. It is important to be respectful to all of those around you. It's essential to the proper running of the workplace. It's important to foster the value of professionalism now so it can continue to be emphasized in post-grad life. Professionalism is a tool that will help us be successful in both personal and professional relationships. It's important to hold ourselves to a high standard, such as being kind and respectful and wearing appropriate attire for events. This then will motivate others to hold themselves to the same caliber. Professionalism is a life skill that I will carry with me throughout my whole life. It's important to actively practice it, whether I am in a formal setting or not, to continuously improve upon my skills. Speakers take time out of their busy lives in order to speak with us at the seminars, and it is important that we give them the utmost respect for all the time and energy they put into their presentations. Each of us represents not just the Freshman Leadership Program but Creighton as a whole, and we need to uphold our university's mission and values when we interact with these professionals. The Freshman Leadership Program is an esteemed group on this campus, and as members of our cohort, we must continue to maintain this reputation.
Community Activism Reflections
Fall Community Activism
Thanksgiving dinner was such a lovely event to put on for the community. Seeing the number of people who came to support our cause brought me so much joy. The Thanksgiving food was a nice break from our typical dining hall food. I enjoyed spending time with my classmates and fostering memories that will last a lifetime. As head of the clean-up committee, I helped put away decorations and tables along with my committee members.
Our Fall activism helped me implement the skills I had learned in my leadership class and through seminars. Working in a team helped me strengthen my communication skills and hold myself and others accountable for our duties. It was a great way for me to not only continue to get to know my freshman leadership cohort better but also connect with the greater Creighton and Omaha communities. Organizing an entire event seemed like a lofty task at first, but with the help of my peers it turned out to be a complete success! I am grateful for the Creighton community’s support and the guidance of my Freshman Leadership mentors.
Spring Community Activism
For our Spring Activism Event, we raised money for Scatter Joy Acres. Scatter Joy Acres is a sanctuary that offers animal-assisted therapy to individuals with diverse needs at all stages of life. Animal Assisted Therapy can help one's cognitive, social, and emotional well-being and can provide results that other forms of therapy can’t produce. They are open to the general public as a petting zoo, which houses over 88 animals. For our event, we will be tabling at the Creighton University mall and selling desserts in order to raise money for their cause.
I was on the Charity Communications team. Our job was to ask Scatter Joy Acres how they would like to receive their donation, approve all our marketing through the organization, and ask Scatter Joy Acres for any graphics or pamphlets they would like to use for our tabling. Within the realm of our communities, my team also had the responsibility to collect questions from the other groups and coordinate with one another to find solutions. I have enjoyed being a part of this team. It has allowed me to strengthen my interpersonal skills and has allowed me the opportunity to showcase my communication skills.
Event Reflections
Ropes Course
My favorite event of FLP this far has been our day at the ropes course. I had the opportunity to connect with new members of the program and enjoy time outdoors! I do have a fear of heights, so parts of the ropes course pushed me out of my comfort zone, but with the support of my group, I was able to complete it successfully. The ropes course was a nice escape from the Creighton bubble, and I spent time off campus. The team-building exercises helped foster community, and I enjoyed the competitions we participated in. The ropes course taught me the power of teamwork, the importance of community, and the appreciation for pushing myself beyond what I am capable of.
Retreat
One event that I really enjoyed was the ropes course. At this event, we were challenged to push our personal boundaries to become better leaders. I really enjoyed the ropes courses at this event because I love heights. At this event, I learned how to be encouraging of others. One thing I found challenging at this event was working with my peers to best utilize all of our strengths to accomplish the common goal.
To be honest I wasn’t super happy about having to spend the weekend out at Calvin Crest however, I decided to go into it with a positive attitude. Once we had arrived and gone through the first couple of activities I became a lot more happy about being there. I enjoyed how there was a lot of free time. The retreat helped me get to know more people and learn the majority of people's names. One specific event that really stuck out to me was the bonfire on Saturday night. I really enjoyed being able to relax and socialize with the people around me and get to know everyone better. Overall, I think the retreat did a great job bringing everyone in FLP closer together.
Family Dinner
Makayla had us all over for dinner in her place in Heider. She made us all lasagna and homemade cookies! It was so nice getting to sit down with everyone and catch up. The food was delicious, and it was the perfect way to end my Tuesday night. We then played card games and shared some good laughs! My family and I used the opportunity to create stronger connections with one another and to continue to develop our sense of community within our family!
The Future and Beyond
The Dream
In the future, I am determined to be a leader in my upcoming career. I want to continue to seek out leadership positions here on campus. I plan to become a leader within campus ministry and showcase the leadership skills I have gained as a Freshman Leadership Program mentor next year. I also hope to be involved in weekly service. It would be very fun to start a pickleball intermural team, and I can utilize my leadership qualities to achieve that.
The Approach
I am currently involved in New Student Orientation, Christian Life Communities, the Freshman Leadership Program, and Sorority Life. Out of all my involvements, I look forward to Christian Life Communities the most. In CLC, we meet every week to discern our faith, read scripture, and chat about our lives. It is a great midweek reset, and I am so grateful for the community I have found. I plan to become a small group leader this upcoming school year. Three goals I hope to have accomplished by the time I graduate are to foster friendships for a lifetime, deepen my faith, and prepare myself both academically and professionally for life after college.
The Connection
My mission statement influences my leadership plans because I will foster the common good for everyone around me through my leadership roles. My academic classes will prepare me with the education and skills I need to be prepared for the workforce. Laying the foundation for my education will set me up for success when pursuing leadership within my future organization. I am determined to live by my values both socially and professionally, and maintaining a strong sense of myself will only help my leadership qualities flourish.