Christopher Newport University

We now invite you to learn about one of our student success programs – Learning Communities. Every first-year student participates in a Learning Community of 15 – 30 students who take three classes together, build strong academic relationships with each other and faculty, and successfully balance social and academic opportunities. Read More

Pre-Law

CNU’s Pre-Law Program and Pre-Law Council help students gain admission to the nation’s top 25 law schools. The program is led by William Thro, university counsel and a former solicitor general of Virginia who has successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Read More

A Model of Exceptional Leadership

Emily Baumgardner (’12), mathematics major with a minor in leadership studies

Chris Fox, assistant director, President’s Leadership Program

Emily Baumgardner was searching for a home away from home. She found it at Christopher Newport University. “I chose CNU because it was the perfect size and had a relaxed atmosphere in which I knew I could excel,” she says. The University is only a 25-minute drive from her hometown of Hampton, Va., but for Baumgardner, “It still feels a world away because of all there is to do on campus.” She has taken advantage of the abundant opportunities here, especially as a member of the President’s Leadership Program (PLP).

Fox, PLP assistant director, recalls first meeting Baumgardner when she stopped by the PLP office to say hello. From that moment, he knew she would be an active participant not only within the program but on campus as well. “She’s very social. She wants to be engaged,” Fox says. “You can tell from how heavily involved she is on campus. She definitely wants the CNU experience.”

Fox and Baumgardner developed a mentoring relationship through various interactions. “I really got to know him fall semester when he played on the same intramural soccer team as me,” she says. “After that, we worked together with other students to plan the Habitat for Humanity spring break trip I went on.” For that service initiative, PLP students traveled to South Carolina to help the Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity build homes for impoverished families.

When Baumgardner served as a facilitator for the Student Leadership Adventure Program, a summer orientation to welcome incoming leadership students, Fox knew she made a perfect choice to usher in the new class. “She’s fun to be around. She has a vibe that’s contagious and fun,” he says. Assuming a leadership position also allowed her to connect further with Fox. Baumgardner recalls, “I was able to talk with him about how school was going, what I hoped to do, where I came from, and how it made me who I am — everything you want someone to know about you to help make you a better person.”

“By getting to know students on a personal level, you learn how to challenge them to make them grow,” Fox says. And Baumgardner has certainly grown from accepting his challenges. “He has really encouraged me to keep up the same positive attitude he has and to always work to achieve more,” she explains. Baumgardner has also learned about different leadership styles, which will help her as she plans to pursue a teaching career. “Chris has shown a quiet, steady personality that has an encouraging effect and is calming as well. I try to imitate that now,” she says.

In addition to PLP, Baumgardner participates in several other campus activities. This includes serving as a supervisor and program assistant for CNU’s intramural program. “She’s the explorer and adventurer type,” Fox says. “She loves to get her hands into everything.” Baumgardner is also involved with Colleges Against Cancer and the Relay for Life committee.

Relay for Life is a one-night event where students walk to raise money and awareness for cancer. Last year’s event was a proud moment not only for herself but for CNU as well. “The CNU community exceeded my expectations when students formed teams, fundraised and came together in a night of celebration and remembrance in the national Relay for Life event,” she says. “Students filled The Freeman Center, and so much money was raised — much more than the goal set. The event was definitely a success.”

Down the road, Baumgardner hopes to pursue CNU’s Master of Arts in Teaching degree to become a high school calculus teacher. She ultimately wants to travel overseas and teach foreign students. “I’ll be looking into teaching internationally with the Department of Defense Education Activity as an Advanced Placement teacher, certified by the College Board,” she says.

And whatever Baumgardner pursues, Fox knows she will succeed. “She has a lot of potential to do amazing things.”