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Edleen Henriquez has spent much of her time as a University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) student leading prospective and future students around the Gainesville Campus as a tour guide and orientation leader.

Henriquez, who is pursuing a degree in international affairs, has also served as a transfer coach, vice president of Nighthawks Entertainment on the Gainesville Campus, and a member of the panel for student conduct. Now, having transitioned to the Dahlonega Campus, she works in the French and Spanish language labs. 

"Leadership is not just being able to delegate tasks, it is taking an opportunity to go out of your comfort zone to meet others and have an impact," she said. "It is the willingness to make a better tomorrow through actions that are sometimes out of the box."

Henriquez, who is scheduled to graduate in May 2023, found herself thinking outside of the box as COVID-19 removed study abroad opportunities for the Hoschton, Georgia, resident.

She was awarded an Annette Kade scholarship for spring 2022 and planned to study at the  in Rennes, France, but lost the opportunity due to the pandemic.

Of all her roles, Henriquez said that choosing one as her most rewarding is difficult.

"Each one was unique," she said. "I have an internship in the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, which responds to humanitarian crises, and I am seeing how all the previous experiences have impacted me. I could not be more grateful for each one."

Henriquez said she takes a participative leadership approach because everyone should have a say and this mindset creates a better relationship within a team.

"The amount of time committed to leadership roles is underrated," she said. "To hold a leadership role and be comfortable with the work you're producing is hard to balance. The demands of the roles and jobs require planning and scheduling, but, most of all, effective communication within any role.  Keeping communication open is important because then there's no confusion."