SIUE Senior Fulgenzi Cultivated Keen Sense of Leadership at SIUE
Prior to enrolling at SIUE, Anne Fulgenzi, political science and mass communications senior at SIUE, nursed ambitions of studying on a relatively larger campus. Coming to SIUE felt like merging into the background and missing out on life-changing opportunities.
But four years later it turns out she was laboring under a misapprehension because it is at SIUE that her star sharply rose, she admits, not only as an exceptional student, but also as a promising future leader with a deep appreciation of what it truly means to serve. Her most important insights into leadership were gleaned from her experience as president of the Panhellenic Council (PHC), the largest women’s organization on the Edwardsville campus.
“Before, my idea of a leader was the person who steps up and does the hard work to make things happen,” said Fulgenzi. “However, serving as PHC president helped me realize that a good leader knows when and how to step back and support others to empower them to achieve their goals. Being a bit of a perfectionist, it was a learning curve to learn to let go, but I now understand my place as a resource and advocate in addition to accomplishing my own projects.
“I cannot underestimate the importance of recognizing the contributions and successes of others to ensure they feel supported and appreciated,” she continued. “After all, any great organization is made great through each individual member's contributions. I have learned when to take action and when to step back and be the supporter to allow others to thrive and succeed.”
A recipient of the prestigious four-year full-ride Meridian Scholarship, Fulgenzi is graduating Summa cum laude and in style as the undergraduate student speaker at SIUE’s 2023 spring commencement.
“It was clear to me that Anne would be a strong leader and a great asset for PHC because of her passion to improve the community and desire to see others excel,” said Andrea Keller, associate director of SIUE’s Kimmel Student Involvement Center, who served as Anne’s advisor on the PHC Executive Board and nominated her for the commencement speaker role. “In her position, Anne created a welcoming and supportive environment for the other officers on the board. Anne has a positive attitude that allows her to connect with others and makes everyone feel comfortable around her. She is a great listener and respective of everyone’s opinions.”
During her time at SIUE, Anne found herself on the receiving end of multiple opportunities for personal development, constant mentorship and support from her professors and advisors. Minoring in psychology and pre-law, she also worked on research projects with her professors.
Overwhelmed by the opportunity to speak at her commencement, Fulgenzi hopes that fellow graduates will see themselves in her story.
“To play even a small part in a moment so great as we walk across that stage together is something I do not take lightly, and will forever cherish,” she said.
Commencing her legal studies at the University of Illinois College of Law on a full-ride scholarship beginning fall 2023, as part of a larger goal to become a public interest attorney fighting for the civil liberties of marginalized communities, Fulgenzi advises her peers to embrace uncertainty, take risks and remember to take along all the support they can along the way.
“Most importantly, always lead with kindness and graciousness,” she said. “Make effort to see those who are lonely or broken and try to be a bright spot in a day that might otherwise be dark. You never know what challenges those around you are facing. Realize the kindness you show a person can potentially change their whole world. By all means, change the world by becoming the President or curing cancer, but that is not all there is to this. We live out SIUE's mission of shaping a changing world when we change the world for even one person.”
Photo: Anne Fulgenzi political science and mass communications senior at SIUE.
