Danashia Barbour

Training with Dr. Simmons. Emerging leaders training was a transformative leadership development experience for UMES students. Students wishing to serve in leadership positions at the university must participate in this seven-week program.

This training helped build a strong motivation to put in the work and gain a sense of responsibility. This training also helped build my communication skills both verbal and non-verbal.

Learned the necessary skills a leader should have. Along with stress and time management.

• Communicated positively with children and guardians.
• Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
• Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
• Maintained a clean and organized environment to ensure the well-being of children under care.
• Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
• Developed strong relationships with families, establishing trust and rapport to provide quality childcare services tailored to individual family requirements.
• Communicated with parents regarding children's progress and development, raising any issues.
• Reassured children when upset providing emotional support and stability.
• Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
• Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.

• Worked in team environment to maintain high levels of productivity.
• Contributed to a positive work environment by maintaining a professional attitude and demonstrating respect for all individuals involved in the project.
• Exemplified leadership qualities while coordinating group activities, delegating tasks effectively, and maintaining open lines of communication among team members.
• Demonstrated adaptability by quickly adjusting to changing circumstances or unforeseen challenges during volunteer events.
• Maintained tidy and organized environment to comply with cleanliness standards.

• Took and followed detailed directions from others.
• Worked in team environment to maintain high levels of productivity.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving abilities when faced with unexpected challenges during event coordination or daily tasks.
• Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.

Yleana is a SAT/entrepreneurship prep summer camp. Yleana helped me build many of the traits and skills I have today. In one of the most beloved parts of Yleana, students gather in small groups several times a week to engage with difficult social issues. In Entrepreneurship, students do small group activities designed to encourage creativity. They learn how to come up with a unique business idea, craft a pitch, identify their target market, among other key aspects of entrepreneurship. Yleana encourage creative, outside-the-box thinking through activities designed to enhance critical thinking skills. Yleana directly address soft skills that are critical to college persistence but which are not always taught in schools, such as how to craft a professional email, how to network, and how to conduct effective internet research.

• Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
• Gained hands-on experience in various software programs, increasing proficiency and expanding technical skill set.
• Contributed to a positive team environment by collaborating with fellow interns on group projects and presentations.
• Conducted research for various projects, leading to well-informed decisions and successful outcomes.