Rooted in Leadership: Adrian Chavarria

Adrian Chavarria is a Construction Engineering major with a minor in Landscape Architecture in the Caldwell Class of 2028. A perceptive and thoughtful servant leader, Adrian is constantly growing and drawing from those he works with. Through bringing diverse perspectives in and learning from everyone he comes across, he tries to craft himself into the best leader he can be, while providing for those who need it the most. 

Background & Early Roots

Adrian has come a long way from his days as a shy, anxious kid. When he was younger, he found that he connected with others better through acts of service. “I found that if I was doing some meaningful work, I could open up and have real conversations… I used the service I cared about as a way to meet people who shared those same interests, build friendships, learn from them, and make memories together.” It was through working towards a shared goal that Adrian grew more comfortable coming out of his shell in social settings. He learned how to open up about more casual or personal topics, like his beliefs and interests. Service has granted Adrian the confidence to share his personality with the world.

I used the service I cared about as a way to meet people who shared those same interests, build friendships, learn from them, and make memories together.

Having worked with so many unique individuals in different settings, Adrian does an excellent job of learning from his peers. One person that made a notable impact on Adrian was his shift lead at an early job of his, D’Andre. Working at Crumbl Cookies at only 15, D’Andre demonstrated humility, kindness, and a level-headed demeanor that didn’t go unnoticed. He showed Adrian that no matter how hectic the situation, you could keep yourself cool. As a leader, this is of utmost importance, because your example keeps the rest of the team steady and on their feet with their heads up. D’Andre and Adrian only crossed paths for a brief period of a few months, but Adrian aspires to have that same calm confidence.

Adrian’s roots inspired his journey to make a difference. Growing up for sixteen years in a small townhouse with other low-income minority families, he felt an almost claustrophobic frustration shared by his family and those around them. Beginning work as a repairman and landscaper exposed Adrian to beautiful, spacious homes, often for families smaller than his own. He admittedly felt envious knowing that others could simply be privileged enough to have so much more despite needing less. Instead of letting it die there, however, Adrian decided he would work towards a solution. “Since then, I’ve been committed to creating affordable and sustainable housing so that families like mine can have homes they love and are proud of—to not be limited by a small environment, but have space to grow and for hope.”

Caldwell Fellows Experience

Like many people, the authentic community is what brought Adrian to the Caldwell Fellows. He acknowledges that, while the program shares a like-minded spirit of passion, hard work, and intentionality, it is the unique paths and perspectives that make all the difference. “We all have different goals, but we share the same motivation to make a difference. The Fellows inspire me because they challenge me to think deeper, dream bigger, and grow as a person.” Adrian has found that servant leadership isn’t about jumping in with authority; it’s about learning and prioritizing service to be a better leader for those around you.

We all have different goals, but we share the same motivation to make a difference. The Fellows inspire me because they challenge me to think deeper, dream bigger, and grow as a person.

Much of Adrian’s development through the Caldwell Fellows has come in the form of the Sophomore Seminar. Working on the housing service learning team, he continues to chip away at his goal of providing proper living situations for the needy. It is through his class sessions, however, that Adrian learns the most about himself as a leader. He learns not only through the meaningful lessons, but more so from the discussions with his peers. Bouncing off ideas with all manner of different perspectives, and then putting those ideas into practice through activities and service learning creates a space that challenges you and your notions and encourages you to grow. Adrian embraces the opportunity to participate and bond with his peers, but also at times he enjoys just sitting back and absorbing, seeing how much he can learn by merely listening.

A watershed moment for Adrian occurred in seminar when he evaluated his Myers-Briggs Type Indicator results. Seeing himself laid out before him gave him a framework that he could use to reflect on his leadership approach. Adrian began to recognize the aspects of his MBTI as they took form in his daily life. “Everything described [in my MBTI results], I could feel within me.” Now more conscious of his inner workings, he is making an effort to improve.

Current Leadership & Role Models

Adrian involves himself in a myriad of different communities, many true to his goals and roots. In each of these settings he finds himself practicing servant leadership. Through his Latin Dance Team and administrative officer work in his fraternity, Adrian organizes spaces and events where people can learn about Latin culture and come together as a community. As impact coordinator for a charitable organization and a member of the Housing service learning team, Adrian ensures that he is not just volunteering, but serving others in a meaningful capacity. His leadership through each of these ventures has imparted on him the importance of leading with an open ear and an open mind. “For me, servant leadership is about showing up consistently and making sure people feel included and supported.”

For me, servant leadership is about showing up consistently and making sure people feel included and supported.

Being this involved isn’t as easy as it may sound. One of Adrian’s biggest blindspots at this stage in his development is his own self care. He feels as though he pours so much into his various efforts that he often forgets to tend to himself. At some point, Adrian recognizes that he must allot personal time for his own sake. While it is good to prioritize servant leadership, you have to do your best to make sure it isn’t at your own expense.

Drawing from those around him as Adrian does, he doesn’t wish to name a singular leadership role model. Through observing each and every person he works with, he can take away bits and pieces to grow from even the most fleeting interaction. “I see the good and the bad in all the leaders I meet; I see their strengths and weaknesses, and try to learn from them.” In Adrian’s eyes, whoever is in front of him at any given moment can teach him something about leadership.

I see the good and the bad in all the leaders I meet; I see their strengths and weaknesses, and try to learn from them.

Looking Forward

While the Myers-Briggs survey provided an excellent framework of understanding for Adrian, he hopes not to be confined by it. He has recently been tossing around the question of whether or not he can develop traits that don’t come naturally to him. Adrian wants to stay true to himself as a leader, but also seeks to build in areas where he may be lacking. “I want to be a well rounded leader who can adapt to different situations and connect with all kinds of people.” Walking the line between authenticity and adaptability, being rooted and being well-rounded may be difficult at times, but Adrian braves the challenge.

Adrian maintains his goal of designing affordable, sustainable, and aesthetic housing through construction engineering and landscape architecture, and he sees the Caldwell Fellows program as a key part of achieving that goal. Through the program, he learns the nuanced ins and outs of servant leadership which he can then apply to his work. From intuition to effective communication, Adrian has already begun developing traits within himself that will benefit him in the field.

Adrian’s genuine interest in those around him and taste for diverse perspectives are what make him Caldwell Fellows material. He sees every person he meets as a learning opportunity and has identified a personal mission that is true to his roots. Adrian never forgets where he came from—instead, he uses it to remind him of why and how he will serve others. He is a conscious servant leader who is going to continue developing and making a difference everywhere he goes.