Nicholas Young, from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) chapter, sees leadership as something more than ambition or recognition. To him, it’s about connection, empathy, and the belief that people thrive when they grow together.
Young recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and is pursuing a master’s degree in the same field. Along the way, he has earned recognition, receiving the SIU System 2025 Distinguished Undergraduate Student Service Award, the Stephen R. Dankenbring Award in Psychology, and the SIUE Student Government Senator of the Year Award.
These achievements highlight his commitment to uplift others while building a foundation for a future career as a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher, though whatever the future holds, Young is ready to embrace it with a growth mindset.
Young attributes his success to a combination of practical skills and personal discipline.
“Building connections was an essential part of earning these awards and achieving my goals,” he says. “Whether it was engaging with my department by meeting with faculty or asking questions in class, or getting involved on campus by connecting with administrative staff during events, it was through these relationships and active participation on campus that I was able to make a real difference.”
Beyond networking, Young leaned on planning and goal setting to keep himself on track. “I learned the importance of identifying micro-goals that I could complete that would eventually lead me to completing my larger, more long-term goals,” he explains.
His membership with the NSLS reinforced this approach. “Being part of the NSLS helped me with this as it introduced me to the concept of SMART goals, which kept me motivated, allowed me to track my progress, and helped me pinpoint actionable steps to move closer to success.”
He also appreciates the emphasis on community.
“The NSLS helped me gain confidence in my skills, provided me with new tools as both a person and a leader, and connected me with people on campus who have enhanced my ability to serve and engage with others. From teaching me about SMART goals to inspiring me through the journeys of those I have met through the Success Networking Team meetings, the NSLS has shaped me into a stronger individual and leader, enabling me to create positive change for the people around me.”
Time management was another skill he had to master. Balancing academics, leadership responsibilities, and personal well-being required careful discipline. “Even during particularly busy periods — such as midterms or finals, when I also had projects and other initiatives on my plate — I always made time for myself to prevent burnout, while still managing everything else,” he says.
When asked about a leader who inspires him, Young turns to the field of psychology.
“A leader I look up to is Carl Rogers, a psychologist who has profoundly influenced my way of thinking, my approach to interactions, and my outlook on life through his emphasis on humanism,” he says.
Rogers’ approach to empathy and empowerment continues to shape Young’s own leadership philosophy. “I aspire to be a clinical psychologist who not only helps people pursue self-growth and realize their potential, but also recognizes that every person has an inherent capacity for positive change when given empathy, understanding, and support,” he says.
His definition of leadership reflects this mindset: “To me, leadership means following your heart while using your mind to make a positive impact on others. Whether that’s a stranger, a friend, a group, a sports team, or a department at school or work. People need each other to thrive, and I believe that leaders are those who take this need and transform it into a source of strength.”
Young’s vision for the future combines clinical work, research, and service. His long-term goals include becoming a licensed clinical psychologist while also conducting research of his own to improve treatment methods and deepen collective understanding of psychology. He also emphasizes the importance of systems-level change.
“I… want to continue the work that I have been doing during my undergraduate studies and prioritize building bridges where there are divides, all while fostering empathy, connection, and understanding whenever possible. I am also interested in engaging with any systems I can — both in and out of my future education and profession — to ensure they better support and represent the people they serve.”
For now, Young is focused on graduate studies while staying engaged in campus life. “My next goal is to continue my graduate education, moving closer to my long-term goals by staying active on campus, prioritizing initiatives on student mental health, focusing on my academics, and making time for my well-being,” he says.
To stay balanced and prevent burnout, he relies on an intentional structure. “I have scheduled dedicated times for reading and studying to stay on top of my coursework, moments to spend with those I care about, and commitments for the organizations and activities I am involved in. This structure allows me to continue being a leader who drives the positive change I want to see, both on campus and within myself.”
Young’s advice begins with self-care, re-emphasizing the importance of avoiding burnout. “Take care of yourself first. Burnout is serious, and avoiding it requires being kind to yourself and making time for self-care,” he says.
He also reminds future leaders that action matters more than perfection. “You don’t need to know exactly how to do something before you try. You just need to be willing to take the first step,” he says. “And, along the way, mistakes will happen, but they are opportunities to learn and improve, just like the people you aim to inspire.”
His final encouragement reflects both curiosity and humility. “Much like a scientific attitude, try to approach challenges with curiosity, skepticism, and humility, and you will be better equipped to lead effectively,” he says.
And guiding it all is the advice from his father that he carries with him: “‘If you want to see the road, follow your eyes; if you want to see the future, follow your heart.’”
Young will certainly be following his heart on his future path, building bridges for others along the way.
Want to avoid burnout? Check out these 5 tips to avoid course load burnout in college.