Sean Drawbaugh, a fourth semester student at Carroll Community College, knows he wants to be a leader. He plans to transfer to a four-year college, where he intends to join Air Force ROTC. After graduating from a university, he plans to enter the medical profession.

With ambitious goals that drive him, Drawbaugh became interested in Carroll’s Advanced Leadership Challenge. During a prior semester, he successfully completed the basic Leadership Challenge. Both programs are organized by the Student Life area of the college. The programs encourage students to study leadership values and qualities through a series of interactive activities that are documented and presented in personal leadership portfolios.

One of Drawbaugh’s first assignments was to identify someone on campus who would agree to serve as his leadership mentor. He thoughtfully considered faculty, staff, and others around campus who might be good role models.

Then a thought occurred to him. “Why couldn’t I go right to the top, to the foremost leader on a college campus, to the President?” he wondered. He contacted the President’s office immediately and was pleasantly surprised. The answer to Drawbaugh’s question was “yes.”

“I was always impressed with the manner in which the President speaks before her audiences,” Drawbaugh said. “I believed it would be a wonderful opportunity to learn from a college president.”

Since then, Drawbaugh and College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo have been enjoying regular conversations in the President’s Suite, as she guides him in his search to become a leader among his peers.

“When we meet to discuss leadership, she regularly mentions two important attributes: integrity and passion. These are the cornerstones of her presidency,” Drawbaugh said.

“Dr. Pappalardo answers all of my questions and makes me feel very comfortable when I talk with her,” he said.

“Sean is a very impressive young man who exudes integrity and honesty, as well as a deep willingness to be a consummate leader,” said Dr. Pappalardo.

“I am enjoying a rare opportunity to listen to a great leader and learn as much as I can,” Drawbaugh said.

For more information on the Leadership Challenge program at Carroll, contact studentlife@carrollcc.edu.

Carroll Student Sean Drawbaugh is mentored by College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo as part of the Advanced Leadership Challenge program at the college.

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