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Research Paper: Personal Philosophy of Leadership Assignment
LeeAnn Martina
Liberty University
CJUS 610: Leadership, Ethics and Policing
Dr. Yuri Tuppince
August 31, 2025
Vision Statement
Through my work with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, I have witnessed
firsthand the struggles that many at-risk youths face when proper support systems are deficient.
These encounters planted vision for a future where no child is without guidance, mentorship or
opportunity through their most formative years. Five years into this field, and now a mother of
two young children, the vision has only grown intently. I desire to help build a future where not
only my own children, but every single child, can thrive within a community that surrounds
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them with hope, provides an education and sustains them with faith-driven support. We are
called by the lord in Proverbs to “start children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old they will not turn from it,” (Proverbs 22:6, New International Version, 2011). My
vision is to ensure that every single child is equipped with the foundation necessary in order to
fulfill a successful and meaningful future.
Mission Statement
My mission in life is to live a life full of integrity, compassion as well as upholding a faith-
based mindset in both my personal and professional roles. My calling is not limited to only
serving my own family, but also to contribute to my community by employing opportunities to
youth who are at risk of falling into the justice system and inadvertently through the cracks. In
2020, there were 423,300 reported juveniles that were arrested for various offenses, (Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2021). Through my work with the Department of
Juvenile Justice, I have firsthand experienced the struggles that incarcerated youth and at risk
youth seem to face when they lack the proper support systems. Most of the youth that I have
encountered are more than just “troubled kids,” but are youth who did not have love, structure,
support and encouragement needed to fuel the drive to thrive. All youth can fall under one of
four categories of risk factors regarding their juvenile delinquency: individual, family, peer or
community, (Maryville University, 2020). All four of these categories are associated with the
likelihood of delinquency for youth. Out of all the youth that have obtained a juvenile charge
every single one will have a reasoning for committing said crime that falls into one of the four
categories. Having these experiences have not only shaped my life impacted the conviction that
drives my purpose but also employs the need to build avenues of hope for young people to
have the ability to change their futures.
My eyes have been opened through working with youth involved with the Department
of Juvenile Justice by showing the cycles of neglect, poverty and trauma that many youths have
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endured. More often than not, said youth are expected to succeed in systems where odds are
blatantly against them. Children have entered detention centers right before my eyes, not
because they are inherently bad, but because they lacked the resources, mentorship or even
basic tools in order to make better choices. These detention centers are oftentimes worse than
they are beneficial as it is said that the trauma that comes with incarceration only leads to a
lesser chance of success in their future, (Mendel, 2023). Many youths have a lack of
encouragement and even basic needs such as housing, food or even clothing. Having such
encounters has driven my passion for creating long term solutions rather than focus upon
temporary solutions. My mission is to help develop both preventative and restorative programs
that focus upon healing, growth and education rather than concentrating upon punitive
methods. Proverbs supports my mindset by empowering people to “speak up for those who
cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy,” (Proverbs 31:8-9, New International Version, 2011). As
only 58.5% of U.S. teens have the social and emotional support that they may need, my role as a
leader is to fill in that gap and to speak
up while acting on behalf of all the youth who are left voiceless and hopeless (Weir, 2025). It is
crucial for all youth to experience support and encouragement in order to lead a fulfilling life.
Professionally, my mission is to create a nonprofit origination that focus upon unite
resources for at risk youth. These services would pull resources for tutoring, mental health,
education, mentoring, and job skills all under one umbrella. I envision this organization to be a
safe have hub that any, and all, at risk youth can find the support they need in order to survive
and thrive. There is an average of 74 million youth and 11 million are living in poverty in the
unites states, which means limit access to services, (Henricks & Roque, 2021). More often than
not, resources are either not readily available or scattered for youth. For example, youth may
have to receive mental health services from one place and tutoring in another and may lack the
ability to locate a proper mentor to help navigate said resources. My goal is to centralize all of
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these services to not just make them accessible but also consistent. Also, the addition of
faithbased guidance should be available to all youth in order to provide spiritual guidance and
grounding. There is a lack in accountability for youth that the system seems to oftentimes gloss
over or overlook. Real transformation cannot begin until accountability is had in order to truly
be able to reach full potential. My mission is to lead with a restorative mindset by fostering
hope and believing that every single child has the ability to grow when given the proper tools
and environment to thrive. The bible reminds us that, “god created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them,” (Genesis 1:27, New
International Version, 2011). This belief is grounded in my personal faith, which calls me to not
only see each person as they are, but also in the image of God filled with compassion.
My leadership philosophy can best be described as a servant leadership. I do not believe
that leadership should be focused upon titles or who has more power in an organization, but
about true stewardship of responsibility. Jesus has modeled servant leadership perfectly when
He told His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,”
(Matthew 20:26, New International Version, 2011). Leadership requires one to be fully opened,
able to listen and willing to put others ahead of themselves. This is how I strive to be, by
focusing upon how I can empower those that are around me no matter who they are. To
achieve this, there must be opportunities for collaboration, providing resources and inspiring
and empowering others to carry on the mission. Leadership is not about what anyone
accomplishes, but rather by creating a long-lasting impact that continues by emerging leaders to
uphold the mission. By being a servant leader, I strive to ensure that there is the perfect balance
between accountability and grace. There must be boundaries with nature consequences for
youth that also spark encouragement and the emphasis of second chances. The Bible calls upon
us “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,” (Michah 6:8, New
International Version, 2011). Holding youth accountable is justice but understanding the
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circumstances surrounding each individual youth and asserting compassion is the mercy that
the bible reminds of.
My spark for the rehabilitation of youth sparked when I was just starting my career,
without any family. Motherhood has only amplified this mission in powerful ways. After having
two young children of my own, I see every youth differently than when I first started my career. I
put every single youth in front of me in the mindset of my own child and through the lense of
parenthood. When I look at a youth in the detention center I see someone`s son or daughter. A
child that was once someone’s innocent baby that had nothing but a blank slate in front of
them. This realization deepened my compassion and only further intensified the need for
advocation for at risk youth. Having children is a daily reminder of how innocent life is and the
potential that comes with each and every young person’s soul. Proverbs both teaches and
reminds us to “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they
will not turn from it,” (Proverbs 22:6, New International Version, 2011). My goal is to live out
this mindset not just in my household, but in my professional work as well. My mission is to
ensure that every child, no matter who they are, has the access to guidance and the resources
essential to the growth of a health and responsibly adult.
Reflecting upon the type of legacy I want to instill; I am reminded that true leadership is
measured by impacts not accolades. I do not want to be remembered by someone that just held
a job title. I would rather be remembered as someone who selflessly changes lives, who
empowers youth and strengthen families. My mission is to leave behind a last legacy of
community to model leadership that restores hope ongoing. More than anything, I would like
my own children to see a faith filled life lived compassionately and to carry that forward in each
of their journeys – whatever that may be. Ultimately my mission is to create a lasting ripple
effect of change through servant leadership, impacting lives in a faith-based way that extends
far beyond my own. I want to be the inspiration for a new generation of leaders that empower
and rise others above their own circumstances. My purpose is to reflect the love of Christ
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through action and to be the advocate for those that lack such by offering mercy and building a
legacy of restoration and community. Philippians reminds to “do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves not looking to your own
interests but each of you to the interests of the others,” (Phillipians 2:3-4, New International
Version, 2011). The heart of my leadership mission is to lead for others, not for my own success.
Values Statement
•Faith: Trusting in Gods wisdom in order to guide my life and leadership.
•Integrity: Living both consistently and truthfully in word and action.
•Compassion: Treating every person with dignity and empathy.
•Justice: Advocating for equity and restoration for all.
•Collaboration: Building bridges with others for lasting change.
•Resilience: Remaining hopeful through obstacles and challenges.
•Humility: Keeping the mindset of leadership is stewardship, not power.
•Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and commitments.
•Wisdom: Seeking God`s direction in decision-making.
•Hope: Inspiring assurance for a brighter future.
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References
Biblica. (2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version.
Hendricks, G., & Roque, L. (2021). An Expanded Child Tax Credit Would Lift Millions of Children
Out of Poverty. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/expanded-child-tax-creditlift-
millions-children-poverty/
Maryville University. (2020). Juvenile delinquency statistics, risk factors, and resources for
helping American youth. https://online.maryville.edu/blog/juvenile-delinquency-statistics/
Mendel, R. (2023). Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/why-youth-incarceration-fails-an-updated-review-
ofthe-evidence/
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2022). Statistical Briefing Book:
Estimated number of youth arrests.
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/crime/faqs/qa05101
Weir, K. (2025). U.S. teens need far more emotional and social support.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/04-05/teen-social-emotional-support
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