From student-athlete to inclusive leader: balancing ambition and empathy to drive personal and organizational transformation
“Leadership isn’t about having life figured out, it’s about trusting your ability to grow through every opportunity."—Alisha Gildon
Meet Alisha (Rowlee) Gildon, MSW, LCSW candidate, whose professional journey reflects commitment to growth, adaptability, and leadership shaped by her experiences at the University of Oregon College of Education. A 2016 graduate of the Family and Human Services (FHS) program, Gildon has built a multifaceted career as a project/program manager, clinical therapist, and business owner. These roles echo the multidimensional approach she first cultivated as an undergraduate.
Gildon credits her time as a student-athlete with laying a critical foundation for her career. Balancing academics, athletics, and personal life required discipline and perspective, skills that continues to inform her work today. “The multifaceted experience of being a student athlete truly taught me how to multitask and understand different aspects of life and how to compartmentalize,” she explained. This ability to navigate complexity is evident in her current roles, where she manages projects, leads teams, and works directly with clients in clinical settings.
Her professional motivation is rooted in meaningful impact. For Gildon, success is measured not only by completed initiatives but by personal transformation of her own and of the people she serves. She finds affirmation “any time I’m working with clients, seeing them overcome anything after they’ve worked so hard through trials,” as well as after successfully guiding teams through complex projects. These moments underscore her dual commitment to operational excellence and human-centered care.
Hands-on learning played a pivotal role in shaping Gildon’s confidence and career direction. She highlights her internship with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a defining experience during her time in the College of Education. The opportunity to engage directly with professionals in the field and culminate her learning in a final presentation strengthened her communication skills and professional readiness. “It is the number one area where I was able to truly engage in my presentation skills, preparing me to present in every area of the workforce,” she noted. This applied learning experience reflects the College’s emphasis on bridging theory and practice.
Gildon’s academic experience broadened her understanding of systems and perspectives. She gained insight into both “micro and macro approaches,” enabling her to navigate the intersections of business, personal growth, and organizational dynamics. This approach continues to shape her leadership style and career.
Equally important were the support systems that enabled her to thrive. Gildon points to her coaches, friends, tutors, and the structure of running track as essential in maintaining balance. She also recalls a meaningful moment of belonging during a final exam, when faculty ensured she felt “physically and psychologically safe” by honoring accommodations for her learning disability. Access to disability services was a particularly valuable resource, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Gildon remains deeply connected to the University of Oregon, with Hayward Field standing out as a symbol of her athletic and personal growth. Her time in the COE fostered resilience. She noted the importance of “understanding that there are various opportunities to explore and that it’s okay to explore those possibilities without having fear.” She also serves on the University of Oregon Black alumni Board, as the student engagement chair.
Looking ahead, Gildon aspires to expand her leadership impact. She is currently working toward transitioning into program management while growing her consulting and therapy practices. Her long-term goal is to serve in a vice president role, leading teams with a focus on inclusivity, operational excellence, and client-centered outcomes. She hopes to demonstrate that “there are different areas and different ways to lead,” emphasizing a leadership philosophy that integrates business strategy with empathy and innovation.
If given the chance to advise her younger self, Gildon would emphasize patience and openness: “Leadership isn’t about having life figured out, it’s about trusting your ability to grow through every opportunity." This perspective not only reflects her personal journey but also serves as an encouragement to current students navigating their own paths.
Through her work, Gildon seeks to create lasting impact by guiding teams and individuals toward meaningful progress. Her career exemplifies the transformative potential of a COE experience that fosters resilience, cultivates leadership, and empowers graduates to embrace complexity with confidence.