When Leadership Finds You: Lessons From an Unplanned Student Organization Presidency

Authors

Abstract

Leadership often arrives quietly, disguised as an opportunity we never planned to pursue. For me, leadership arrived in the form of an unexpected nomination to serve as president of the Indiana University American Student Dental Association (IU ASDA). At the time, I did not feel prepared, nor did I feel particularly comfortable stepping into such a visible role while juggling the demands of being a third-year dental student. Yet, looking back, accepting this position became one of the greatest blessings of my dental school journey. It challenged me to grow beyond my comfort zone, reshaped my understanding of leadership, opened my eyes to all I am truly capable of, and profoundly influenced both my professional and personal growth.

Recommended Citation

(2026) "When Leadership Finds You: Lessons From an Unplanned Student Organization Presidency," Journal IDA: Vol. 105: Iss. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://commons.ada.org/journal-ida/vol105/iss2/6