Svetlana Stone

I attribute my success to my mother, who was a great example for me. She raised six children by herself and worked incredibly hard, and she taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to helping others. She even received two medals from the government for raising her children, and she gave them to me before she passed away last summer. From her, I learned to treat others as I want to be treated myself, and to see people as human beings first, not by their titles. That's why I have such strong connections with the students and professionals I work with. I also learned that success doesn't happen overnight, but one step at a time. My own experience as an immigrant who came to the U.S. 22 years ago without speaking English has shaped my ability to understand and help others going through similar challenges. I believe you can never truly understand someone unless you've experienced what they've experienced, and that empathy drives everything I do.

The best career advice I ever received came when I was at the university and I learned that leaders guide through their own examples. I want to be that kind of leader - not someone who just talks, but someone whose life and actions influence others. I don't like to just talk; I like to do, and that speaks volumes. If you say you love people but your actions show something different, those are just empty words. If you say you're helping but there's no action behind it, it means nothing. I always tell my students the same thing: let your work speak for you. Your actions will speak for yourself, and your work will speak louder than any words you could say.

The most important values to me are treating people as human beings first, not by their titles, and helping others through action rather than just words. I believe in treating others as I want to be treated myself, which is something I learned from my mother. I don't focus on rewards or recognition when I do my work - I do it because I believe I can make someone's life better and because they need me. I choose to focus on the good things in life rather than only seeing the dark parts. When students come to me after losing their status, I remind them that this isn't the worst thing that could happen and help them see how many good things they already have. That perspective helps change their outlook. I also believe it's important to follow your dreams and show others through example that it's possible to pursue multiple passions. Success doesn't happen overnight, but one step at a time. Everyone faces challenges in life, but it's our choice how we see those challenges and whether we let them define us or inspire us to help others.