As the fall semester starts and students inundate campus, many of them have yet realize their true potential. They have yet to fathom the depths of their amazing talents and leadership abilities.

Emerging leaders are fostered at Fresno State. Who knows? One of our Fresno State students might even eventually become the next President of the United States.

Everyone has the potential to be a leader, but what really guides someone to that path?

Learning how to live your best life is part of the strengths philosophy growing at Fresno State. Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0, an online personal assessment survey, assists students in identifying their top five strengths.

Oscar Guzman, a graduate student who works for University Courtyard as a resident advisor, said he has learned how to use his strengths not just to work to his advantage, but also for the benefit of others.

"I learned about strengths philosophy as a graduate assistant and it has opened my eyes," said Oscar Guzman. "At first I thought I knew what my strengths would be, but when I took the strengths assessment, I noticed the other strengths I did not really pay attention to."

Korri Battle, a student in her third year and vice president of the Black Students United Club, said strengths philosophy has helped her to understand herself.

"When I speak about my strengths, I notice I have lots of confidence doing so," said Korri. "It's like I have something to brag about because it’s me."

Elijah Surall, a senior majoring in communications, believes the strengths philosophy helps students understand where they function best. He currently owns and operates a car detailing business and feels knowing his strengths has helped him with his career path.

"My strengths were discovered earlier this year in February and have helped me tremendously," said Elijah. "Understanding my strengths has revealed many qualities I have in a positive light."

Anna Morales, an academic coach at SupportNet who recently graduated with an M.S. in Counseling (Student Affairs and College Counseling Option), has focused on making her strengths even stronger.

"Knowing my strengths has impacted me with job interviews and how to express myself," she said.

Jerry Gomez, a SupportNet academic coach at the Learning Center, said using strengths helped him develop his own supervising style.

Developing individual strengths is the focus of the Student Leader Summit.

"The Student Leader Summit gives our campus leaders the opportunity to network together, make connections, and learn about their strengths as individuals and as a team," said Leadership Programs Coordinator Sophie Karas (Center for Leadership). "By understanding who their fellow student leaders are, they can utilize these connections in order to create more efficient programs and resources for the campus community."

G. Belle Vang, a triple major in her fourth year in school, said the Student Leader Summit teaches students that leadership comes in several forms.

"The Summit Leader Summit emphasized a broad spectrum of leadership through lessons of being a compassionate individual who strives for a purpose bigger than herself or himself," she said. "It encouraged students to positively benefit and influence their communities by becoming united with one another."

"The Student Leader Summit allows students and the community to be informed of the resources available in order to accomplish their goals," Oscar added.

Developing a student's potential is a shared responsibility. Students, faculty and staff work together to inspire purpose and build success. Personal areas of strength teach students to harness their talents and change the world.

Although they may still be learning to reach their potential, tomorrow's leaders are right here at Fresno State. In the classroom.

It starts here. Now.

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