By Lucy Honeywell; Photo Credits to Brodie Bard
Successful leadership requires persistence, adaptability and a willingness to take advantage of opportunities. These were some of the key messages shared by Susquehanna University alumni during this year’s Gates-Mueller panel discussion, Going the Extra Mile in Leadership, held Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The event took place in the newly renovated Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms in the Degenstein Campus Center, with remarks beginning at 6 p.m. and a dinner reception following in the Event Center.
The panel featured five Susquehanna alumni: Angela Brouse ’97, regional director of the Geisinger Health Foundation; Aminata Diallo ’19, litigation associate at Troutman Pepper Locke; Craig Housenick ’98, Emmy Award-winning lighting designer whose credits include Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Voice and RuPaul’s Drag Race; David Kitchen ’14, president and founder of Edge Leadership Academy and co-founder of Edge Media Productions; and Brian Papson ’99, vice president of marketing for the Eagles.
The discussion was moderated by Michele Welliver, department chair and associate professor of communications and director of the professional sales program. The panel explored how successful alumni define “going the extra mile,” from taking initiative and pursuing opportunities to accepting feedback and learning from professional challenges.
The event was supported by the Signe S. Gates ’71 and Dawn G. Mueller ’68 Leadership Fund, endowed in 2019 to connect students with alumnae who inspire them to pursue leadership positions within their chosen fields. Through conversations with alumni, students had the opportunity to learn from professionals who have applied their experiences at Susquehanna to their careers.
When asked about what it means to come back to events like this, 2014 alumni David Kitchen said, “Being part of the SU community means the responsibility and opportunity to give back to the next generation of graduates. I’m always blown away by the professionalism, perspective, and eagerness of the students and I always walk away having learned something new.”
Giving back was another important theme of the discussion. Both Kitchen and Brouse emphasized the value of generosity and supporting others. “Generosity wins,” said Kitchen.
Beyond philanthropy, the panelists stressed the importance of taking advantage of opportunities and gaining experience while still in college. Craig Housenick, Brouse and Papson also discussed working with Mike Ferlazzo in Susquehanna’s communications department and how those experiences helped prepare them for life after graduation. They highlighted the value of building relationships with faculty and getting involved on campus.
The panelists also shared advice on building successful careers while navigating professional challenges. Housenick encouraged students to set aside their egos and focus on becoming the best versions of themselves as they pursue success.
Accepting feedback and adapting to change were also important topics. Papson was asked about how he deals with hearing feedback and improving. “Adapt to your environment, the environment doesn’t adapt to you,” he said.
Taking responsibility for one’s work was another key piece of advice. When asked about what makes a young professional successful, 2019 alumna Aminata Diallo said, “taking ownership, act as if every task you do is something you own”.
Throughout the discussion, a shared message emerged: students should remain persistent in pursuing their goals, seek out opportunities to gain experience and be willing to learn from the people around them. By taking advantage of campus involvement and building professional relationships, students can develop skills that will benefit them long after graduation.
The next event of the Gates-Mueller Leadership Initiative for the 2026-27 academic year is a career trek to New York City on Nov. 10. Interested students can learn more and apply through the Career Development Center’s Handshake page.
