Olivia | Leadership

By the time sophomore Olivia Thomas was ready to attend college, Jessup was an easy choice. Living locally, she was familiar with the University and already knew several faculty and staff. She also knew she wanted to be a Leadership major. On campus she serves as a Discipleship Advisor assisting students much the way she was  mentored when she began her college experience. "As a freshman, I was deeply impacted by upperclassmen and student leaders who intentionally invested in me and helped shape my growth," she said. 

Representing the School of Theology and Leadership (SOTL) during Give:24, Thomas's "why" centers around the fruit that is produced at Jessup. "Being involved at Jessup, I've seen firsthand the powerful influence student leaders have on this campus. Beyond my desire to support my peers academically, socially, and spiritually, I feel a clear calling from the Lord to invest in this community."

The SOTL's initiative is threefold. First, to raise funds to support our Pastor in Training (PIT) scholarships and the Developing Deborah Leadership Academy for Women. Second, to remove financial obstacles and third, to provide biblical and practical training for future pastors. Thomas worked on the proposal for the Developing Deborah Leadership Academy and is excited about the fruit it will bring. "There are so many gifted women God has called to leadership and I'm looking forward to supporting them in their journey."