Leadership lived: Student RJ Swartz finds his voice and passion at UIS

Business Administration major RJ Swartz has found his voice at the University of Illinois Springfield. Before coming to college, he was shy about expressing his opinions. However, that all changed when he got involved at UIS.

“Going through the honors program and Leadership for Life has really taught me how important it is to get involved,” said Swartz.

Swartz now mentors other students in the Leadership for Life volunteer program and the Capital Scholars Honors Program. He’s also a member of the Alternative Spring Break student organization.

On campus, he works for UIS Admissions and Marketing as a student worker. He’s passionate about marketing and often applies his skills on campus. Currently, he’s helping to market a Dance Marathon to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Basically you go and you’ll dance for six hours and fundraise for them,” he said. “It’s obviously a great program to be involved with and a great cause.”

After he graduates from UIS, Swartz hopes to join the Peace Corps and help others learn about marketing.

“If I get into that I’ll leave for 2 years and go to a country and hopefully work with small businesses there to market their products internationally,” he said. “If that doesn’t happen, I’m hoping to work as a marketing agent for a firm.”

Swartz came to UIS from a small town of Carthage, Ill. and in many ways the personal and supportive environment at UIS reminds him of his hometown.

“Clearly I enjoy it here,” he said. “There’s a lot to benefit every student that comes here.”