The making of a 21st century leader

“The degree gave me the tools I needed to take this leap. It reinforced what I had instinctively believed about leadership and introduced me to research-backed strategies that have made a real impact in my work."

Leaders often emerge during times of uncertainty—such was the case for School of Business & Society alumna Michelle DeArmond ’21. Already an established professional, having served as chief of staff for two Riverside County elected officials, DeArmond recognized her desire to fill in knowledge gaps. She decided to take on the challenge of pursuing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) at the onset of the 2020 pandemic.

Now an executive director for Riverside University Health System (RUHS), DeArmond reflected on how the program provided a foundation for building successful leadership skills during challenging times.

“I wanted to understand organizational leadership better and learn how to make structural changes that would benefit my organization,” DeArmond said of deciding to enroll in the program. “I wanted to grow and become a better leader and chose Redlands for synchronous learning with other professionals I could engage with.”

While hoping for an in-person experience, DeArmond entered the program fully online, forcing her to familiarize herself with the tools that keep everyone connected in a virtual space. The new learning format proved to be a valuable training ground for the increasingly digital workplace.

“I wasn’t prepared for how much I was going to learn about technology, particularly how to maximize different virtual platforms and use modern techniques and programs,” DeArmond said. “The MSOL program gave me hands-on experience with tools that have since become essential in professional settings.”

Beyond technology, DeArmond gained critical leadership skills, including communication strategies tailored to different audiences, project management techniques, and insights into human resource law and data-driven decision-making. She said one of the most immediate impacts of her education was how she applied what she was learning in real time. While still in the program, DeArmond used her coursework to develop and lead a strategic planning and visioning session for her government office—something she had attempted before but could now complete with greater confidence and structure.

“I was able to execute the planning this time with a lot more tools and guidance on how to be successful in this endeavor,” DeArmond said. “I had learned more about mission, vision, values—about how organizations do these kinds of plans—which became extremely helpful.”

Aiding DeArmond along her journey were several Redlands faculty members, including adjunct professor Karen Roberts, who became a mentor to DeArmond as she considered changing careers during the program.

“She stood out as a leader and was adamant about learning—I put her in charge of a team in my ‘Leading Individuals and Teams’ course, which she excelled at,” Roberts said. “When I came to understand her passion for leadership and potential career move, I asked her a lot of deep questions that perhaps she had not thought of before. This ultimately led her to deciding on a new career path.”

Just months after completing the MSOL program, DeArmond stepped into her current role as an executive director at RUHS. Her responsibilities have expanded significantly since starting, allowing her to apply leadership training, government relations experience, and strategic planning skills to improve public health initiatives. DeArmond credits her time at Redlands for equipping her with the skills and confidence to thrive in her new role.

“The degree gave me the tools I needed to take this leap,” she said. “It reinforced what I had instinctively believed about leadership and introduced me to research-backed strategies that have made a real impact in my work. Though the program took a small period of time to complete, fully investing in the experience has paid me back in many ways.”

Learn more about the MSOL program.

Interested in earning an MSOL degree? Apply by April 1 and begin in Summer 2025 to receive a $200 campus bookstore voucher. 

First Responders who begin a new graduate program in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 in the School of Business & Society, MPPA, or MSGIS/MGIS programs will receive a 20% tuition discount.