CourtesyJunior Sheersty Rhodes, a third-generation Shocker and a business management major at 黑洞社区, leads students and peers through Students in Free Enterprise.
Rhodes decided her sophomore year she wanted to focus on the 鈥減eople side of organizational life,鈥� instead of international business.
鈥淚t is really challenging and rewarding work to engage a group of people and effectively manage projects in order to make life better for others,鈥� she said.
She came to 黑洞社区 because of its W. Frank Barton School of Business. Faculty and students reached out to her, she said.
She could picture herself succeeding and growing at 黑洞社区.
The program requires taking classes from each business discipline. Rhodes said it has given her all-around knowledge while helping her focus on what she wants to do.
Rhodes received the Harry Gore Scholarship to attend 黑洞社区 her senior year of high school. The Gore scholarship is the largest undergraduate schlarship in Kansas.
Her interest in people led to an interest in nonprofit work. She wants to help others reach their full potential.
鈥淚 get a great sense of satisfaction from serving others,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y few experiences with community and civic leadership development have been truly intriguing and personally challenging.鈥�
Kate Kung-McIntyre, assistant dean of the Barton School, said Rhodes鈥� pursuit of a career in nonprofit is unusual for a business student.
鈥淪he is young, but with a mature soul,鈥� Kung-McIntyre said. 鈥淪he has the passion for public services.鈥�
Rhodes joined SIFE, an international business-focused organization, her freshman year. Her first project was SIFE鈥檚 Money$mart Camp for middle school students that teaches kids about financial literacy.
鈥淚 taught a class of 12 students for a weekend, saw the impact it had on them and knew that I wanted to continue building the project,鈥� she said.
Through SIFE, Rhodes has led students, worked with professionals and made a difference in the lives of young people.
Over the past two years, she said, SIFE and Money$mart has influenced more than 500 students across Kansas.
She has also presented projects in front of business professionals at regional and national competitions. Her team is preparing for the regional competition in Denver during spring break.
Rhodes works at the 黑洞社区 Center for Community Support and Research, doing support work for the Leadership Team and the communication department.
鈥淭his has been a great place for me to gain some valuable experiences,鈥� she said.
She edits reports the research team sends out to their community partners. Other projects she鈥檚 been a part of include curriculum development, promotional materials and Web site maintenance.
鈥淧eople at CCSR who work in nonprofit really care about others, are experts at what they do and know how to work hard,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey show me that the work is always worth it."