Mallory King

Throughout her time as a University of North Georgia (UNG) student, Mallory King gained an appreciation for leadership.

Her two most prominent opportunities to display her leadership skills have come as a future educator in her student teaching and as president of Phi Mu, her sorority. The Buckhead, Georgia, resident and Grayson High School graduate is pursuing a degree in elementary and special education and expects to graduate in May 2024.  

She has especially enjoyed the chance to empower others in Phi Mu. This requires getting to know the members of her leadership team. She believes in giving words of affirmation about someone's talent when making assignments.

"Leadership is a group effort. Leaders don't lead lonely," King said. "Leadership is finding the strengths of people in your organization and capitalizing on those by delegating roles to them where they can work best."

One of her most rewarding projects thus far has been serving as Phi Mu social chair, a role that involved planning a successful event that 250 people attended and managing a $30,000 budget. The experience took her "well out of her comfort zone."

King also realized the need to understand others come from a variety of mental health backgrounds, home lives or other situations that could impact their current outlook.

"People need sympathy and so much grace," King said. "I can treat everyone with the same respect. They might just have different needs. Leadership is personalized to the people you're leading."

As she prepares for her career in the classroom, she said children "spark a light" that brings out her natural leadership skills. She aims to inspire future generations through eventually becoming a children's book author.

"Children's literature is so important," King said. "Children can read and learn so much about who they should be as a person and as a friend and family member."