How one leader earned her Ed.D. and two prestigious awards along the way.
At Ambassador Leaders, we’re privileged to partner with educators from around the country who are committed not only to inspiring the next generation of global leaders but to being leaders in their own right.
So, it didn’t surprise us to learn that our longtime teacher leader Dr. Karla Aguirre recently earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership and earned accolades for her commitment to service and global learning along the way. Cal State Fullerton, where Karla earned her degree, awarded her with their Extension and International Programs Award and Outstanding Graduate Student Award (read the CSUF article here).
We sat down with Karla to learn more about her educational and leadership journeys and her thoughts on how Ambassador Leaders shapes future global leaders.
“Leadership is about finding your passion then being fierce in sharing what you’ve got to give to the world.”
During her studies, Karla traveled to South Africa and Mexico. In an interview with Cal State Fullerton’s News Center, she describes her trip to South Africa as especially meaningful to her understanding of global educational leadership, saying, “the spirit of South Africa” touched her.
“It was their resolve and commitment to the true meaning of liberty and freedom that brought down apartheid,” Karla says.
When asked what it means to be a global leader, Karla notes, “Being a global leader means you willingly seek…to create a community that is globally interdependent. It’s about finding your passion, fine-tuning your voice…then being fierce and consistent in sharing what you’ve got to give to the world.”
Given her expertise, we wanted to hear from Karla what leadership lessons she’s seen students take away from their Summit experience. “Ambassador Leaders students learn teamwork,” Karla shares, “and to use their gifts and talents to benefit the team,” ultimately creating a shared project and presentation.
“It’s amazing how hard students will work when they walk toward their purpose. I have seen students courageously embrace empathy, diversity, and unity.”
She goes on to say, “I love seeing how Ambassador Leaders students care for one another, especially at the end of the Summit when they’re connected and committed to making the world better together; it gives me hope.”
We asked Karla what advice she has for future global leaders. She emphasized continuous learning and perseverance, saying, “Remain curious, humble and disciplined, and press forward ambitiously.”
“Leaders can be grown, and there is a need for everyone’s life calling.”
As for her own life’s calling, Karla continues to share her talents as an elementary school counselor in California. “Working with youth is the joy of my career; they truly are the best teachers.”
By Corie Bales
Corie is the Academic Affairs Manager of Ambassador Leaders. As a lifelong educator and avid traveler, she believes in empowering students and teachers to learn and lead through experiential education.