Welcome Tierza!

By: Evelyn Ealey

This week’s leadership spotlight features the Center for Leadership’s newest addition and director; Tierza Watts! Tierza was looking for a position close to home in Hillsboro/Burlington when she came across Elon’s opening for Center for Leadership director. Tierza has been involved and supportive in leadership education for many years, and has held various positions within Residence Life and Student Life. She was a leadership educator for nine and a half years at North Carolina State early in her career, and was drawn to Elon because of its reputation for focusing on experiential learning.

Tierza has had experience in numerous aspects of leadership, and has created her own personal definition for leadership. She best defines leadership as working with others to achieve a mutual goal or to address a collective concern. She believes it's about leveraging the talents and skills of all members so that together we can create positive change for our community. Tierza finds it crucial to be a leader within the community because when we choose to serve as a leader, whether in a behind the scenes role or out-front role, we lend our talents to hopefully positively impact our community. She believes that as leaders we ultimately have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to contribute to the overall health of our community.

Through her years of leadership Tierza has encountered many leaders that have made an impact on her life, but one in particular stands out to her. Her professional mentor, Rick, was her favorite leader because of the way he embodied Servant Leadership. Rick was always focused on the growth and development of his team members, supported their efforts, challenged them to be good problem solvers with the resources available, to make ethical decisions that supported good practice, and demonstrated empathy toward all. She appreciated that she could, even with the best intentions, make mistakes. Rick would help Tierza learn and grow through guided reflection, goal setting, and a push to forward with her next efforts to be a better leader.

Tierza is excited to bring her wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Center for Leadership, and we’re so happy to have her join the family!