by Martha I. Fernandez
Staff Writer
Petite but powerful is a phrase that perfectly describes Rose Mangahis, whose determination and devotion has granted her leadership roles during her four years at ULV.
“I’ve always thought that taking on these leadership roles and activities will give me the experience to be an effective leader in the future,” said Mangahis.
This Highland Park native and second child from a family of four has taken advantage of ULV extra-curricular activities to strengthen her skills in her Business Administration major.
“I just hope to develop the skills I know I will need for my future career like communication skills, and managing and organizing effectively. I never thought I’d get this far,” said Mangahis.
Mangahis has been a Spotlight Weekend leader and international orientation mentor. She has climbed up the executive ladder of Kanaka Hui Ohana by holding office as secretary, vice-president and her current position, president. Currently, Mangahis is the ASF vice president.
“Being ASF vice president is a major role because it involves the entire school, but then again being president of Kanaka Hui Ohana has been more of a challenge because as president I have to maintain a sense of motivation in order to keep the club alive,” said Mangahis.
Mangahis headed ASF as President Pro-Tem for the past five months, however she chose not to run for the office.
“It’s not what I wanted. I just feel that I don’t have the necessary skills to be ASF president,” said Mangahis. “It is such an important role on this campus, there are so many expectations that not only students have, but administrators have. There were times when I wasn’t sure if I could handle the pressure of the expectations.”
Mangahis’ leadership career began during her junior high years. She was the student body secretary and enjoyed the responsibility of the office.
“When I was in eighth (grade) I just found it exciting to make all those major decisions even as little as what kind of Valentine grams we were going to be making for the month of February,” Mangahis remembers with a smile.
Valentine grams are no longer in Mangahis’ decision making. As President Pro-Tem, Mangahis was involved in changing the ASF constitution and organizing homecoming.
Like any strong leader, strong support is needed to keep morale and motivation high. Mangahis learned early on in her childhood that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it by observing her mother.
“She wasn’t the domestic or traditional housewife. She was at home to mind us kids, but she took on other roles outside of the house.
“I don’t tell my mom but she knows I’m very involved, she just always reassures me that she’s proud of me and tells me ‘don’t boggle yourself down too much with too many things, concentrate on school first.’
The other person she credits for her success is her boyfriend, senior Timothy Ferguson.
“Timothy is always there whenever I’m ready to pull my hair out. He will always be there to calm me down when I’m near tears because sometimes I just can’t handle the stress,” confesses Mangahis.
Leadership is not Mangahis’ only talent, she also is a member of Chamber Singers.
“I love to sing and I like to perform,” said Mangahis. “I sing because I do it for other people.”
She began to pursue this talent during her first year of high school when her parents made her choose between voice or dance lessons.
“I wanted to go to dance. I actually had a dream of being a professional dancer, but then my parents told me that they foresee that if I pursue my singing I would get more out of it,” she said.
Another ULV experience that has influenced her life is her participation in the Summer Service program in 1993. During these summer months she worked at Hillcrest Homes.
“The duties that were required of me were to visit the residents, to read to them and talk to them,” said Mangahis. “I found joy in watching them come to life. People our age don’t think that elderly people can do half the things that we can do. They can do the same activities we enjoy doing ourselves.”
Due to this experience Mangahis is now considering pursuing a masters degree in Health Care Administration, specifically in geriatrics.
“The knowledge that I have learned here at La Verne as a Business major is to work my way up into an administrative position in a convalescent home,” said Mangahis.
Mangahis is looking at San Diego State University and UC San Diego as possible graduate schools to begin her pursuit in health care administration.
“Working at that level I will do my best to make sure these individuals get the health care that they deserve. We tend to take them for granted and they are people too,” said Mangahis.
