The key to leadership is blooming where you are planted and going where you can grow, according to Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs D’Andra Mull, who spoke at the University Memorial Center on February 29.
Mull welcomed hundreds of students, professionals, and community leaders to CU Boulder’s Seventh Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium. The symposium seeks to empower women with the confidence and leadership skills necessary to thrive personally and professionally.
As Vice Chancellor, Mull oversees 30 departments and more than 3,500 staff members at CU Boulder. She also serves on the American Association of Universities and Association of Public Land-Grant Universities’ student affairs committees. She received the 2022 ACPA Diamond Honoree award from the American College Personnel Association.
Throughout her speech, Mull encouraged attendees to embrace who they are. They can do this by recognizing the value of their identities. “No matter your identities, wear them and be ok walking in a space with them,” Mull said.
She also spoke on the challenges that come with having intersecting identities. Being a young, professional Black woman, Mull felt she had to overcompensate for her talent. She knew people challenged her success, so she “over-talked” to prove her knowledge. However, as Mull grew into her career, she discovered the value of listening. She learned to speak when she had something to say rather than feeling like she had to say something.
Mull notes listening should not detract from the importance of women raising their voices, though. As women are often underrepresented in professional spaces, they hold unique perspectives that need to be shared.
“There are times when I walk into the room and I have to speak up because I know no one else will have the view,” Mull said. “I speak up and speak the truth and speak what I have to say, even when my voice shakes.”
Surrounding herself with strong female mentors allowed Mull to develop this courage. While female leadership positions are sparse, Mull’s sponsors gave her the belief that a future of leading was a destiny she could achieve. Now as a female leader herself, she is cognizant of the influence she has on those around her. She understands that young women are looking up to her, which drives her to be the most authentic leader she can be.
Suzanne Balog, an Events and Communications Specialist for the CU Museum of Natural History, felt touched by Mull’s desire to be a mentor for other women. In a male-dominated field, such as museum archiving, Balog recalled how she relied on her female bosses to inspire her. Watching these women in power showed her what she was capable of. “I realized I did have the skills, I just didn’t have the confidence,” Balog said.
This self-assurance is crucial for women leaders. Being comfortable with who they are allows women to advocate for themselves and women around them. Mull believes this confidence is a woman’s greatest asset.
“Know that there is no one who knows you better than you. There is no one who can do you better than you,” Mull said. “At the end of the day, that is the only identity you can own.”