University student veteran Amy Atkinson ‘19, G’22, who has been actively advocating for veterans on campus, was invited to attend the Student Veterans of America’s (SVA) Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C., in September. Hundreds apply for this honor, which is extended only to a select group of student veterans who are SVA chapter leaders. In January 2020, Atkinson attended the Student Veterans of America National Conference (NATCON).
“To be considered, the student veteran must have extraordinary academic, extracurricular and personal strengths, so it was satisfying to have my hard work and dedication acknowledged,” said Atkinson, a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Counseling Program.
Atkinson is a U.S. Army veteran, president of the Student Veterans Organization, member of the Committee on the Status of Women and Counseling and Human Services Association, as well as a member of three national honor societies: Alpha Pi Sigma, SALUTE and Tau Upsilon Alpha.
The concept behind the SVA Leadership Institute is that long-term leadership success comes from an intimate knowledge of one’s core values and how to empower others. Attendees are mentored through this experience by successful SVA alumni, business leaders and advocates.
“The SVA Leadership Institute provided me a more solid sense of self, as well as a clearer sense of who I am as a leader,” said Atkinson.