Every Columbia College student’s journey toward leadership is unique and builds on their personal experiences and dreams. Read about how the 4Cs of leadership are interpreted by a diverse group of young women, a new generation of leaders who are already making a positive difference.

Sheila’s Story

Sheila Holliday stands out among her family, one of three pioneers: the college students.

The adventure began with her uncle, Vonnie Holliday. “He didn’t think he’d be able to go to college,” says Holliday. “He played football, baseball, ran track, pretty much every sport” in high school, but expected his education and sports career to end upon graduation from Camden High School. Then he was offered a four-year scholarship to the University of North Carolina and, upon graduation, was a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers. He now plays defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins.

“He was the first person in my immediate family to go to college,” says Holliday. When a cousin attended Charleston Southern University, her uncle helped financially. “He has two children and a wife, so he has a family to support, but he doesn’t forget people on the way.”

And Holliday became the third good choice for support. Born in 1987 in Camden, she played softball, joined the Beta Club and earned a 3.9 grade average at Camden High School. While still in high school, she earned six semester hours toward college, taking algebra and trigonometry. Columbia College began sending Holliday information, but “My parents wondered about funding a college education.” Her uncle backed her up. “He helps me in every way possible. He’s paying for me to go to summer school. He helps with books, insurance, tuition when needed, and every now and then a bill that is not school related,” like the telephone bill she ran up over Christmas.

Holliday adds, “My mother was really excited I was going to college. She didn’t finish high school. She helps by bringing groceries. My grandmother, she’s supportive, too, but at first they didn’t understand, like books, how expensive they are. They understand more now, that we’re finishing college and working to finish.”

For Holliday, the opportunity to think about and experience leadership came with the chance to be an orientation leader. Annual fall orientation at Columbia College includes a five-day program for first-year students. “I never saw myself leading a group of people,” but she could imagine herself assisting with orientation, especially since “I saw holes – where people didn’t do this or that,” during her own first-year experience. She continued that work her junior year and also joined the Student Alumnae Ambassadors, which promotes connections among current students and alumnae. Her group assisted the Epworth Children’s Home, with Holliday acting as a liason. Holliday’s other outreach experiences included groundswork at St.Martin de Porres Catholic Elementary School and sprucing up Harvest Hope Food Bank.

Holliday, who works as a circulation assistant at Edens Library, also supported herself and helped pay for college by serving as a cashier at McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A. Yet, she found time to serve as junior class senator and treasurer of the Student Senate. She joined the Columbia College Activities Board, which coordinates social and recreational activities, and served as a co-chair of the Ludy Bowl, a CC football game that dates from the 1950s.

When she competed for the Ludy Bowl post, “I really started thinking about leadership. I didn’t realize people were watching me.” She also realized she was watching others. Holliday uses the activities board as an example: “Some students are into sports; other students are really into arts. This brings us together on a panel, and questions are answered, and we help each other with decisions. I’ve learned to work with people at times I might have thought impossible. I sit back and listen; if I have a question, I’ll say it, but first thing I like to listen and think about it. Everybody is not like that.”

Holliday points to the activity-board service as  valuable hands-on experience in the 4C’s, leadership development that emphasizes courage, commitment, confidence, and competence. “I felt I did just enough to get my feet wet,” says Holliday. “You gain courage, at least a little bit. I became confident in the positions I held. You become more active as you go along.”
And, at some point, you become the person watching, encouraging, and nurturing: “They don’t realize I’m watching them. Now I’m saying, ‘Why don’t you try for this?’ I keep at them: ‘I see in you potential. You like helping people. You like talking to people.’ And they say, ‘I never thought of that. I’ll try it.’  I encourage them to use the 4 C’s. I say, ‘You have people to help you, people who will encourage you. There’s so much work to do on campus. Together, we can do that.’”