Mark Tambe

Mark Tambe, a Mechanical Engineering major from Dubai, said, “I like to describe courageous leadership as a combination of initiative and responsibility. Initiative can be something as big as arranging an event for your entire club or as small as 10 seconds of insane boldness in being the first person to say “Hi!” I think initiative plays an essential role in welcoming others and creating the pathway for me to thrive outside my bubble of comfort. Responsibility includes being able to see a task through to the end as well as leverage trust. A combination of initiative and responsibility puts forth a courageous attitude that is prepared to handle leadership.”

Mark put this formula for courageous leadership into action when, as a fifth-year student he made some big, bold changes. He knew things were going to be different his final year. The majority of his friends had graduated and moved away from Blacksburg, the entire collegiate experience was socially distanced and everything was, well, different. Rather than waiting for the uncertainty of life to take hold of him, Mark took control of his own well-being and happiness: he moved back on campus and threw himself into his new living-learning community, Thrive.

Now, he is a crucial part of the Thrive’s leadership team as a passionate peer mentor.

During fall semester, Mark created social opportunities, outings, game nights, and even hide-and-seek throughout Pritchard Hall -- more than thirty events for Hokies to come together and form a community -- and a home.

His actions went well above and beyond his formal leadership duties. Mark’s efforts have modeled for the entire Thrive community what a different, “all-in” style of leadership can look like.

Mark’s nominator said that when first-year students in the Thrive community discuss wanting to return to next year, every one of them mentions being inspired to continue what Mark started last fall. In the midst of a pandemic, Mark chose happiness for himself, and as a result has led countless others to choose joy and to bring joy.

Mark – we are pleased to present you with the Aspire! Award for PREPARING FOR A LIFE OF COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP.