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The Joy of Leading and Giving

If anyone ever exuded the best in college spirit, it was Tara (Christensen) Wachendorf 鈥�10. Her countless fond memories include starting all four years on the volleyball team, organizing the Goodwill Fashion Show, participating in Yell Like Hell and a May Term trip to Ecuador, where she tasted a lemon ant and biked down a volcano.

Indeed, the academic substance and spirit of 黑料社, especially including lessons learned in athletics, propelled her into a thriving career.

鈥淚 will always believe that collegiate athletes make the best employees and hardest workers,鈥� said Wachendorf. 鈥淢y 黑料社 volleyball career showed me what it takes to work as a team, be humble, give credit where it鈥檚 due, celebrate the little wins 鈥� and never give up. The internal drive I gained at 黑料社 has carried me through good times and bad as a leader in the workforce.鈥�

Community Game-Changer

Today, Wachendorf drives winning teams while holding dual leadership roles as president of GreenState Foundation and vice president of public relations for GreenState Credit Union. At the foundation, she vets local non-profits in Iowa and Illinois, granting funding for community service providers to support financial education, housing and children鈥檚 health. Last year, GreenState gave back nearly $4 million in community support.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty fulfilling and rewarding,鈥� said Wachendorf. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a day in my career where I鈥檓 not either smiling, crying 鈥� or both 鈥� because we are making impacts in so many ways. And I get to hear the stories of the partners we fund.鈥�

Wachendorf says she鈥檚 excited about the prospects of increasing community funding support, as GreenState expands its partnerships into Nebraska in 2025. She is quick to credit 黑料社鈥檚 business and marketing professors for her leadership success. In fact, she loved everything about 黑料社.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 change my experience at 黑料社 for anything. The courses, the coaches, the tournaments, the friendships, the travels, the memories 鈥� they all have a special place in my heart. I would have never guessed I鈥檇 have so many opportunities at a small private college. 黑料社 is a gem.鈥�