When Kelly Ambrose was applying for leadership positions in fall 2007, she had about as much certainty as she did when she was picking colleges, which was not an easy task.

“I had no idea where I was going to go to school,” Ambrose, a sophomore and biology health science major, said. “I collected all that college mail, found one postcard from Cornerstone and kind of held on to it.”

Ambrose, whose sister was attending Calvin College, thought she would give the school down the road a try.

After visiting, Ambrose had peace about the experience. “I guess it is one of those things that is hard to put into words,” Ambrose said. “I just really felt God leading me here. I could have stayed home and had two years of community college that could have been paid for.”

Instead Ambrose, originally from Bay City, Mich., received the encouragement and support from her parents to attend Cornerstone.

Two years later, she now has the opportunity to serve as executive vice president (EVP) of legislation of Cornerstone University Student Government (CUSG).

Her ascent to leadership, however, was not a road easily traveled.

At the end of her freshman year, Ambrose applied for several leadership positions within Cornerstone not knowing where exactly she fit. The positions included resident assistant and Sherpa for Leadership Journey.

“I knew that I wanted to be involved with something,” Ambrose said. “I thought if I went through the interviews, they could help place me.”

Despite her desire to find a role in leadership, Ambrose was not hired for either opening.

“I was frustrated and discouraged,” Ambrose said. “I was willing to be a part of something but didn’t find a place. I was kind of questioning what leadership really meant.”

She was disappointed after the interview process but had not lost her desire to lead.

“I found out my roommate was going to be an RA in Cook and decided to be part of Cook council,” Ambrose said.

“Serving as vice president of hall council doubles as the VP of community council role, a council headed by senior Katie Azkoul,” Ambrose said.

“The three of us who ran for EVP were all part of [that] community,” Ambrose said. “We all had worked with her and knew what [the position] was about.”

Her sophomore year provided yet another opportunity to apply for a leadership position.

“After prayer and reflecting, I kind of made a list of things I wanted to see happen around campus and that built a stronger desire in me to want to run [for EVP],” Ambrose said. “I knew I could run but didn’t know if it was something that I felt that strongly about.”

“I had a lot of friends behind me, so that made it exciting,” Ambrose said.

Azkoul, current EVP of CUSG, was sitting in Ambrose’s position last year. Since Ambrose was elected as EVP in February 2008, Azkoul has served as a mentor. The mentorship has produced observable signs of a healthy mentorship and, more importantly, a friendship.

“I really enjoy just hearing her heart and hearing what she wants to do for students,” Azkoul said, “things she’s been through in life and vice versa.”

Ambrose certainly appreciates the opportunity to be trained ahead of time. “It sounds like Katie and the people this year didn’t have as much training,” Ambrose said. “I think that it is very beneficial to spend time with her. The transition will be a lot smoother.”

Before working with Azkoul, Ambrose said they were more acquaintances than friends, like they are now.

“Now we’ll get together, and she invited me to be part of executive meetings,” Ambrose said. “We give each other back rubs after meetings. She’s passing on her Nerf gun to me. All VPs pass something onto their people. It is not a necessity, but Simeon has the gavel and [Azkoul] has the Nerf gun.”

Ambrose is already showing the qualities of a good leader.

“She is learning the ins and outs of CUSG: how it operates and where CUSG is in with coordination with administration, staff and faculty and students,” Azkoul said. “She has looked all over our binders. Another responsibility is to look over CUSG constitution. She is doing well. She has a good grasp of what she has to do. I feel like she can follow through very well.”

“It’s neat to see her passion,” Azkoul said. “She has a lot of potential. I am glad she finally gets the opportunity to exercise that. I don’t think she’s received the best opportunities before.”

Ambrose feels the prestige of her position within student government. “I guess I felt honored or privileged. Not something that I was really planning on doing,” Ambrose said. “I didn’t know if it was time to apply for leadership position or where God was going to have me be next year.”

Despite any uncertainty she had before, Ambrose now sits comfortably as second in power in CUSG, Nerf gun in hand.