Business administration senior Cody Allman will graduate with a deep understanding of leadership thanks to his experience in student government, the Penn Society, and his work on behalf of his fellow students in several Whittier College committees. Next Stop: A career with the City of Anaheim.
Major:
Business Administration
Hometown:
Riverside, CA
College highlights, achievements, and awards:
Many things that come to mind. I've served in Associated Students of Whittier College (ASWC) Senate all four years, two of them being on the executive cabinet and also being program board director. I have been part of the Penn Society and served in various leadership roles (vice president for two terms and graduating as president.) In addition, I have sat on a Board of Trustee's building and grounds committee for the last two years, the student lounge renovation committee, and served on two search committees for College's dean of students position and the assistant dean of the Weingart Center for Career and Professional Development.
I have held various jobs on campus throughout my Whittier career. I started as a work study student in the business office, then was hired at Leadership Experience and Programs (LEAP) since I was heavily involved in student life and programming, I also served a year as a POET Intern for the Hartley House working with Professor Paul Kjellberg to help revamp the faculty master program, from there I continued to work with the LEAP office but also was hired as a management intern with the City of Anaheim for Public Works in the fleet and facility services division.
During my time at Whittier, I was awarded the James R. Parks Prize and later the James R. Parks Fellowship, which both helped financially but also inspired me and have field my aspirations to give back after graduation as an alumni and hopefully as a trustee in the future. I was awarded the Outstanding Graduate in the Organizational Leadership Minor (the first year this award has been given) which was really important and validating to me, as this minor has changed the way I view business and society as I go out and find my path and career and passions.
What was your favorite class?
My favorite and also most nerve-racking but yet engaging class was the Dynamics of Leading Change course I took with Associate Professor of Business Administration Jeffrey Decker. Professor Decker is a tough professor and I admire the way he brings his passion for business to students and the class. He challenged me to always think critically and I found myself at times nervous and dreading his class or the discussions out of fear of having a wrong answer, but I got over that quickly as soon as I realized that as long as you're thinking and engaged you will be on the right path. Professor Decker taught us how to think like him and how to be prepared for class discussions. I will never forget how before he would get mad, or was going to say something really important to us he would fist say, “Now loved ones…” which showed he truly cared and once you got past his tone or facade you appreciated who he was and what he was trying to do.
What's your favorite place to study on campus?
My favorite place to study was the seating area above the Harris Amphitheater just down from the Turner Courtyard, there was an amazing view of the sunset and at times you could see the skyline of LA and it was a great place to find yourself and to look at the world going around me.
Who is your favorite faculty/staff member?
This is perhaps the hardest questions of all, as I consider many of the faculty, administration, and staff more than that, I consider them mentors, friends, and even family. There are so many people whom without them this experience and me even being where I am would not be possible at all. However, there is one that always stays at the top of my list. She is the first person from Whittier College I met at an admitted students event at the Nixon Library. Jessica Aparicio in Campus Safety is someone who I consider much more than a staff person. She has been my rock through it all, and without fail in times when I really could use support, an encouraging thought, a laugh, or encouragement, I get a message from here doing exactly that, some would call it a coincidence or luck. I'm not sure what it is, but I will always be thankful for her being in my life and she will be someone who made my Whittier College experience more than worth it.
If I could explore L.A. with anyone it would be...
It would be with my best friends. Throughout my four years at Whittier, I have met many different people and have many friends. From that, I have gained a few of very best friends, I love exploring LA and other parts of Southern California with them. We all come from different places, experiences, backgrounds, and even different states! When we all go somewhere or explore, we all look at things in a different light and take away something different and share how we see things, even the smallest things and what they mean or their importance. We are a diverse group all with different paths and majors, when this comes together it makes something more than meaningful and makes me thankful to have gained more than just an education here.
What are your plans after Whittier?
After graduation, I plan to move into a new role working with the City of Anaheim and later on attend graduate school.
The one Whittier experience I'll always remember...
Whittier has provided me with so much it is difficult to say that there is one that stood out, since there are so many that come to mind and make me so thankful. However, one that is at the top of the list comes from this year. As many people have said and all agree, this last semester has been one of so many emotions, memories, events, and experiences. For me this semester has been both the hardest, but the most memorable. This semester started with much sadness as we found ourselves in a time of crisis; looking back this time was both trying and joyful. But the important thing, that goes back to a Whittier experience was truly seeing what a strong community was and what it meant. It is something that I wouldn’t have seen as a first-year student, but as we have all spent time here, learned and grown, we all know what community means and we have shown that in more ways than one in this past semester. Whittier will always be a part of me, and it is somewhere that I will always be glad to come home.
