C.J. Moneke's approach to leadership is all about relationships. He brings this mentality to his roles as a resident assistant (RA) at the University of North Georgia (UNG), president of Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) and desk attendant for Multicultural Student Affairs.
"The approach I try to take is one of making people feel known and welcome. I try to lead by example," Moneke said. "I've always been able to resonate most with leaders who are in the trenches with me, and that's my style of leadership, as well."
He thrives on building those relationships and enjoys walking around campus and seeing people he knows. This can take multiple forms, from helping form a campuswide flag football tournament to speaking about his faith at a BCM meeting in front of almost 500 students. Yet the moments of getting to know others better on a personal level stand out for him.
"Being at UNG, I've learned the significance of the one-on-one aspect of leadership," Moneke said. "The biggest impact on an individual and their college experience usually isn't the huge events or group activities, but rather the relationships formed along the way."
Moneke came to UNG with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a pediatrician. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident now plans to work in ministry instead. He is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in chemistry and already has a job lined up at a church when he graduates in May 2024.
Through each of his roles on campus, Moneke seeks to be the person who remembers things people say and ask about them later. He understands the impact a single conversation can have in pushing a relationship forward.
"A lot of things fall under effort. You're going to get my all. If I don't know something, I'm going to do my best to learn it," Moneke said. "That can take some humility to say you don't know the answer."
He ultimately hopes to lift the spirits of the people with whom he interacts.
"I hope they remember me as someone who cared enough to make the effort to know them and to reach out," Moneke said. "And I hope they remember me as someone who made them laugh a few times."
