The Power of Showing Up

When she first arrived at college, Adelaide Berry wouldn’t have called herself a leader. In fact, she barely considered herself involved. Quiet and reserved throughout high school, she was content to go to class, come home, and keep mostly to herself. But something shifted during her freshman year, a decision, she now says, to break out of her shell and see where new experiences might take her.

She started by participating in a small business consulting project abroad and that experience planted a seed. She returned to campus with a new sense of confidence—and a desire to keep growing. Bit by bit, she signed up for more. She joined student organizations, attended workshops, and entered competitions. Each opportunity challenged her to stretch, to collaborate, and to apply her learning in real-world situations. Along the way, mentors—especially women working in fields she admired—showed her what was possible.

“Having mentors who are women in the fields I’m interested in has been super impactful,” Adelaide said. “They showed me that I can do it.”

As she deepened her skills, she took on leadership roles and began working on real-world projects with companies and organizations. Through these experiences, Adelaide discovered that leadership wasn’t about being the loudest voice or controlling every detail, it was about helping others find where they could thrive.

“I never knew that I would want to be a leader,” she said. “If you were to ask me four years ago, I would’ve said, ‘I’m a follower, I’m a follower.’ And now I think I’m way more confident in my abilities through that.”

Her mentors noticed the change too. One described how Adelaide had shifted her focus outward, not just making sure she had good experiences, but ensuring others felt included and supported as well. Whether as a teammate, friend, or peer, Adelaide had grown into someone who made a meaningful difference in the lives around her.

Looking back, she says the hardest part of her journey was simply showing up. So many of the experiences that shaped her were low-cost or funded, available to anyone willing to take the first step.

Her advice to others? Simple and hard-earned:

“Don’t be scared to try anything once. Go to anything. Apply for anything. Don’t let your beliefs of who you are define you.”

Analytics Solutions Center

Adelaide Berry’s experience with the Analytics Solutions Center (ASC) began with a single project but quickly became a defining part of her college journey. One highlight was competing in Hack for Good, a Microsoft-sponsored hackathon. Partnered with Operation Smile, Berry’s team created a digital tool to streamline the nonprofit’s internal workflows—bringing lasting value even without a competition win.

Analytics Solutions Center (ASC)

• Mission: Empower students to solve real business problems through data
• 31 company sponsors
• 64 completed projects
• $1M+ raised for student opportunities

Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center

A pivotal moment in Adelaide’s leadership journey came through a course at the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the class shifted her view of leadership from something hierarchical to something empowering. For Berry, leadership became less about directing others and more about helping people play to their strengths, collaborate effectively, and grow.

The Covey Leadership Center is grounded in the belief that leadership is the greatest need in the world today. Its mission is to develop principle-centered leaders of character and competence who elevate society.

The Huntsman Scholar Program

As a Huntsman Scholar, Adelaide found herself surrounded by driven peers, dedicated faculty, and life-changing opportunities. Through smaller, discussion-based classes and one-on-one mentorship, she deepened her understanding of business while sharpening her leadership skills. The program also took her across the world to Tokyo, where she explored global career paths and cultural perspectives. These experiences helped shape both her confidence and career goals.

The Huntsman Scholar Program offerings top students access to world-class faculty, leadership training, and global experiences. With 100 percent job placement within six months of graduation and a 2024 Robins Award for Organization of the Year, the program prepares students to lead and make an impact in a changing world.

The Center for Entrepreneurship

Adelaide’s first hands-on business experience came through SEED, an international internship program within the Center for Entrepreneurship. As a freshman, she spent a semester in southern Mexico teaching basic business skills to local women entrepreneurs. From helping a woman expand her empanada business to launching a new product line with grassroots marketing, Berry saw firsthand how business can break the cycle of poverty and create lasting impact.

Center for Entrepreneurship

• 800+ student-launched businesses
• $1.5B+ in annual revenue generated
• 7,600 students enrolled in entrepreneurship courses
• #1 most popular minor at Utah State

SEED Program

• International internships in developing countries
• Focused on teaching, mentoring, and funding support
• Real-world impact through social entrepreneurship