Leading with Purpose
For Christina Alemayehu, pursuing an online MA in Strategic Communication with SOC isn’t just about earning a degree, but it’s also about integrating every facet of her identity into a purpose-driven life. As a student, Alemayehu has found both the academic rigor and creative freedom to shape her voice as a storyteller and leader
Alemayehu helps lead the Global Youth Mission Movement, a faith-based non-profit committed to supporting East African diaspora youth through mentorship, spiritual growth, and community. Rooted in cultural connection and faith, the movement brings together young people in the DMV area through home gatherings, small groups, and mission trips to Ethiopia. “It’s about building a family of faith and creating a leadership hub that equips the next generation to serve with vision, honor, and love,” Alemayehu said.
The organization hosts biweekly gatherings for meals, worship, and Bible study led by youth, as well as weekly small groups for deeper discussion. Alemayehu plays a central role in coordinating these programs, mentoring students, and organizing international service trips. She helps guide the group’s long-term vision, grounded in five-fold leadership and cross-generational collaboration.
Though the work spans continents and generations, her role in the organization reflects the same values that brought her to SOC - authenticity, impact, and the power of communication. “I’ve always felt the tension between corporate communication and community-based storytelling,” she said. “AU’s program didn’t ask me to choose – it helped me integrate both.”
Alemayehu has applied classroom knowledge to real-world initiatives, including writing and publishing her first book, History with Abba, and creating multimedia projects that serve youth and faith communities around the world. Courses in strategy, branding, and audience engagement have sharpened her ability to lead effectively and communicate with clarity, whether she’s launching a faith-based campaign or organizing youth trips to Ethiopia.
But for Alemayehu, the heart of her SOC experience has been the people. “Every professor, classmate, and advisor I’ve encountered has modeled support and generosity,” she said. “Even as an online student, I’ve felt deeply seen and encouraged.”
She credits that culture of care with helping her stay grounded through a demanding schedule of academics, writing, nonprofit leadership, and travel. Her advice for fellow graduate students managing multiple responsibilities is to embrace the bigger picture. “When you start viewing your passions and commitments as pieces of a larger, unified purpose, everything begins to make more sense,” she said. “It’s not about juggling – it’s about pouring into one purpose from many directions.”
With the support of SOC and the communities she serves, Alemayehu continues to grow as a communicator who leads with conviction, listens with compassion, and tells stories that move people toward lasting change.