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Alyssa “Ally” Meier, a Radford University senior nursing major from Windsor, has been recognized with the Citizen Leader Spotlight Award at Radford.

A university news release stated that the Citizen Leader Program at Radford is directed by Dr. Jean Mistele, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

“I have learned to listen and discover everyone’s take on the topic or situation before making a decision,” said Meier. “I know this will apply into my profession in many ways, like listening to patients, their family, other caregivers, etc. It will only help in building the connection between the health care workers and the people who are in need.”

Mistele works with students through the Citizen Leader Program to help them develop into effective leaders who tackle important issues from the local community level to the global community level. The students reflect on their curricular and co-curricular experiences as they hone their leadership skills. They examine their personal values, values held by the group and the values embraced by the larger community.

“I chose this program over the other organizations and clubs at RU because it aligns with who I am as a person and allowed me to explore more perspectives on life that I would not have gotten if it wasn’t for this program,” Meier said.

The abilities to seek information, influence others, build relationships, communicate with civility and make sound decisions all help to promote change for the common good, according to the program description. Each students’ pathway is tailored specifically to the student to weave together their passion and their professional goals. Students that successfully complete the program receive a Citizen Leader stole at graduation, a certificate, and their official transcripts and diplomas show the Citizen Leader designation.

More information about the Citizen Leader Program is available on Radford University’s website on a page — https://www.radford.edu/content/citizen-leader/home.html — dedicated to the Citizen Leader Experience.

Radford is a comprehensive public university that has received national recognition for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives.