Campus Connection

December grad says music, marching inspired career path in healthcare management

Paul Mora’s interest in a career in health care management came from a place most people wouldn’t suspect — music. Mora, a UW-La Crosse December 2016 graduate, has been assistant director of the Screaming Eagles Marching Band for the last two years. Leading the 135-member group is no small task, and Band Director Tammy Fisher says she couldn’t possibly do it alone. She relies heavily on student leaders. Mora took on the role of assistant director — a drum major of the band. As new incoming freshmen joined, they relied on Mora’s leadership to adapt to a new band culture while also adjusting to a new way of life in college. They memorized their sheet music, but also learned to work together. “First and foremost, you have to learn teamwork — how to work together to achieve the overall goal,” says Mora. Mora loved the thrill of uniting diverse people. He also loved mentoring experienced marchers to step into leadership positions. The realization sent him on a different career track. Initially, Mora was taking science classes to become a chiropractor. But learning about his love for leadership broadened his goals within healthcare. He sees himself working in healthcare industry management, seeing how such a complex system could run more efficiently. “My motivation is helping as many people as I can,” Mora says. Fisher says the band’s function goes way beyond the music. “It is my philosophy and goal that every student in band develops a skill set that they can apply to their academic discipline and the real world,” she explains. That list of skills is long; it includes team work, problem solving, respect, positive work ethic, accountability, integrity, and handling adversity. “I feel very strongly about these characteristics and make references to them often,” Fisher says. Fisher adds that she is lucky to have talented students to work with like Mora. “Paul is a natural born leader, and the leadership opportunities he had in marching band definitely gave him the platform to really blossom,” says Fisher. “There is no doubt he will do many great things as he continues to follow this career path.”

— December graduate Paul Mora says that other UWL experiences such as playing trumpet in jazz band, intramural sports and work study with UWL’s Self Sufficiency Program office, also gave him skills in management and interpersonal communication, which he plans to apply in a future career.

----- UWL’s Winter Commencement set for Dec. 18  UWL’s Winter Commencement will be Sunday, Dec. 18, at the La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza. No tickets are required to attend. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. The ceremony begins for all graduates at 11 a.m. This includes students from the College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Studies, College of Science and Health and School of Education. A total of 695 students are candidates for graduation. This includes 103 graduate students and 592 undergraduates. More information on commencement is at www.uwlax.edu/commencement/