Senior Lucy Madden leaves her mark on Madison

As a Communication Studies and Disorders major, senior Lucy Madden also serves as one of the two Student Directors for the Make Your Mark On Madison (MYMOM) leadership development program.

According to the Office of Student Activities and Involvement website, “the purpose of the MYMOM program is to gain insight into your own personal values, leadership styles, facilitation techniques, and decision-making through a semester long leadership program. MYMOM is designed to be a springboard into authentic involvement at JMU.”

As a past participant myself, I’ve been fortunate enough to work very closely with Madden. In MYMOM, the approximately 120 participants are separated into councils led by two upperclassmen Leadership Counselors (LCs). Madden was one of mine.  

She’s also the reason I applied to be a Student Ambassador.

As a MYMOM Student Director, Madden signed up for a one-year commitment starting in the spring of 2010. She advertised for and hired 16 Leadership Counselors, planned and taught training sessions for the fall with co-director Sarah Sweetman, was a TA for HRD 475 (a class for all of the new LCs), interviewed potential participants, contacted speakers, put together programs, organized councils, and so much more.

“She was in my MYMOM council when I was an LC, was an LC when I was Student Director and I’m also blessed to call her a great friend!” 2009-2010 MYMOM Student Director Nicole Ferraro said. “I’ve watched her grow and she has watched me do the same. She is motivated, organized, creative and most importantly, passionate about growth.” 

LCs Lucy Madden and Chris Carter:
Sonner Squad 2009, MYMOM

MYMOM is a program designed to focus on an individual’s personal strength and use it to help him grow as a leader. Councils meet Monday nights for a two-step program starting with a guest speaker then followed by a breakout session with your council. In the past, speakers have included Dr. Mark Warner, VP of Student Affairs; Kevin Gibson, Assistant Director of Chapter & Volunteer Management; Dr. Dave Herr, professor of Exceptional Education; and President Linwood Rose.

Aside from her MYMOM commitment, Madden has also participated in three trips to Nicaragua with the Nicaragua Project for spring break 2009 and 2010, and in May 2009.

“It opened my eyes to a completely different side of the world that I’ve never been exposed to,” Madden said. “It’s easy to look at pictures of what someone does or doesn’t have. It’s a lot harder to see it firsthand.”

Madden returned to Nicaragua for her second trip just two months after the first, this time with a personal mission statement and a better understanding of herself. Madden believed herself to be more grounded in her values and reflective in her learning.

This growth stemmed from what she learned in MYMOM as a student participant and an LC. Madden was more aware of strong leadership styles other than her own. She could more easily recognize these qualities in others because she’d spent so much time figuring herself out.

“If people see you’re grounded in yourself, they’re much more open to personal growth and reflection in themselves,” Madden said.

Madden calls it a humbling experience – it’s difficult raising the money, planning the trip, leaving your impact on a nation in need - an experience that has no doubt helped her succeed as a leader and role model.

“While she often focuses on the growth of those around her and is an INCREDIBLE mentor and encourager to so many, she is always aware and mindful of personal growth,” Ferraro said. “She understands that we are forever made new and there is always more to learn and more ways to flourish and be better. That kind of humility and understanding of self is what makes Lucy such an amazing leader and beautiful person!”

Photo Credits: Lucy Madden 

 APPLY TO BE A MYMOM LEADERSHIP COUNSELOR:
JMU OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT