Somewhere in the upstairs hall of Sickler Prayer Chapel are photographs captured by senior Patience Korrie.
However, the impact left behind by her and other senior Act Six students runs deeper than photo paper.
Korrie had her first taste of leadership through Capstone, a high school sponsored program which helps empower future generations. This led her to a Taylor-run program titled Empower, a summer program that encourages students to grow in their ministry skills and theological pursuits.
Following the rabbit hole of leadership programs, Korrie was introduced to Act Six, which is described as a “leadership and scholarship program that prepares and empowers emerging urban leaders to make a difference on their campus.” After completing multiple in-depth interviews, writing essays and undergoing character evaluations, Korrie was awarded the scholarship.
“Capstone really helped me develop my relationship with God, recognizing that I have all these people that are wanting to see me grow and encouraging me,” Korrie said. “When I came to Taylor, I saw that even more; I was able to ask questions, I was able to voice my opinion and what I thought. I didn't see myself as a leader, but apparently (Taylor) did. They were willing to (come) alongside me (while) I figured out that I could be a leader and what it means for me to be a leader.”
From there, her appetite for leadership grew into fostering a community of leadership from dorm life to gospel choir. Like other Act Six students, she established and strived after the goal of cultivating leadership in the Taylor community.
Korrie dedicated herself to finding the source of leadership and faced the question of how to put leadership into action, including becoming a Discipleship Adviser (DA) on her floor and engaging in diverse conversations in which she was able to share her Nigerian culture with others.
The more Korrie paid attention to leadership responsibilities and qualities, the more she realized leadership is not found in just CEO positions but also in the small actions of listening to others and encouraging them.
Like Korrie, other Act Six scholars dedicate themselves to demonstrating leadership every day in all aspects of campus. Senior LaShae’ Mobley is a part of Black Student Union and gospel choir, along with senior Madeja Sims who owns a logo business. Senior Daniel Korrie is on TU Dance Vibes and was a DA in Bergwall, and junior Tia Walkins is part of the Intercultural Advisory group. Senior Emmanuel Terrell is the student body president, working with senior Danny Magallanes who is the treasurer.
All over campus, Act Six students leave their mark through leadership opportunities, but oftentimes, those marks appear in what some may call the mundane. But in truth, these acts add to the mosaic of art and talents Act Six scholars each bring to and share with Taylor.
Korrie says she used to think leadership came with a title. But now, she sees it as an opportunity. An opportunity to serve those on campus in any way she can.
Somewhere in the halls of Sickler is a photograph captured by Patience Korrie. One day, the Rev. Greg Dyson, vice president for intercultural leadership and church relations, saw her taking pictures and asked if he could put some on the soon-to-be renovated walls. An honored Korrie said of course. These pictures tell anyone wandering down those halls that Korrie was there, but in truth, her impact, like many Act Six students, is felt in the small moments — in how she helped redefine what it means to be a leader.
“One of the biggest lessons I've learned is being a leader does not mean being in a high place,” Korrie said. “It also means being in your living room having a conversation with someone who might not feel understood, to be there and be a good listener. Being a leader is in the everyday activities that you do, in everything that you do. (From) Capstone and Empower, to here at Taylor, I've met so many people; I feel like each of them have left a mark on me that makes up who I am now. They were leaders in my life.”
