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2012 James R. Meindl Student Leadership Award

The Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building (CLIMB) at CSUSM announced recent business graduate Tarah Kading as the recipient of the 2011-2012 James R. Meindl Student Leadership Award, the most prestigious student honor given by the Center. The award honors one graduating senior each year from the College of Business Administration (CoBA) who demonstrates outstanding leadership and mentorship in school, at work and in the community.

Sponsored by InterKnowlogy, the award was presented to Kading at the college’s Senior Experience Trade Show, held at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido in May. CLIMB Executive Director Dr. Raj Pillai described Kading as a student who exemplifies CLIMB’s mission: to foster the development of effective leaders at all levels – individual, team, organization, and community.

As a student, Kading has been actively involved in numerous development, leadership and volunteer capacities within CoBA and the University. She served as a student leader of Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed professional business fraternity, where she helped increase chapter membership by 75 percent. Supporting student programming and key initiatives, Kading also volunteered her time and assisted CoBA in the planning and coordination of several signature events, including the college’s Wine, Food & Brew Festival, Female Entrepreneurs and multiple CLIMB leadership seminars. She is a graduate of the CoBA Student Value Improvement Program (VIP), a two-year career development program that engages students in a series of activities to teach them personal and professional skill sets.

This past year, Kading served on the Senior Class Gift Committee, a 12-member student group that raises awareness and philanthropic support for the University. Concurrently, she also served as student liaison to the CSUSM Alumni Association CoBA Chapter Board of Directors.

“I am certain the opportunities CoBA and CSUSM have given me have shaped me into the leader I am now, and one day I will be able to come back to give to the school that has given me so much,” said Kading.