GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
GREGORY E. FRENCH
ABOUT GREGORY
Below I've detailed information on my past involvement, education, experience, and activities. Please explore my leadership philosophies and how that continues to play a part in my own leadership roles and how I've approached my leadership philosophy.
PERSONAL BIO
To give some background about me, I am a currently the Assistant Director of Campus Recruiting and Career Connections at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I've had the opportunity to work in higher education for five different universities and have gained first-hand experience in student leadership development, career counseling, study abroad advising, admissions and enrollment, financial aid, as well as athletics. In addition, I have also had the opportunity to work for a Fortune 200 financial services organization in human resources and recruitment managing a student internship program, as well as a small family owned manufacturing company in operations and logistics. Outside of work, I enjoy being active and being outdoors. Having run track and field in college, I have had the opportunity to also coach track and field at three different universities. I love to travel outside of work, and have been fortunate enough to receive opportunities to travel internationally in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Iceland, France, Italy, and South Africa. From childhood and into my working career, I have personally lived in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Maryland. I look forward to building off of my educational, professional, and personal experiences and using this in my future endeavors.
VISION STATEMENT
I believe that all leaders should be continually learning and growing with the people that they serve. With my leadership background, I will use this for my own growth and apply this to my career and share this experience with those that I work with. I believe that it is important to push others beyond their limits and help them truly realize the potential that they might not otherwise have the courage to explore. This is key to understanding and relating, and ultimately becoming involved within the lives of others to become a successful leader and role model.
"Striving for success without hard
work is like trying to harvest where
you haven't planted."
DAVID BLY
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
A leader should be present beyond what is measurable, providing guidance even when not physically present. With this in mind, “Servant leadership can lead us up through the difficult terrain of our own weaknesses, both individual and collective, and take us to places where we can look out and find again the beauty of life and not only the fulfillment of being well again, but also of leading others into their own longed-for sense of hope” (Ferch, 2012, p. 110). I believe a leader is there to serve the needs of others and should focus on the following key points:
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Consistent and clear communication
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A moral presence to uphold values and commitment
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Provide a sense of growth and enlightenment
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Lead with a sense of authenticity and integrity
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Use vulnerability as a strength for transparency
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Be emotionally invested and understanding of personal and team needs to be successful