March 17, 2023
Junior Daneev Imbert is known across campus for her active leadership roles in over half a dozen organizations, clubs and departments. Despite her busy schedule, Imbert’s main focus is to schedule time to bring joy to others.
“I like to make people laugh, everyone should have a little joy in their lives,” said Imbert, a business finance major from Miami.
Imbert found her niche as a leader in high school and knew she wanted to keep it in college. The daughter of Haitian and Dominican immigrants, she has used her leadership talents to help minority students find their home at the Catholic University of America.
“My aspirations and determination have always stemmed from all the sacrifices (my parents) made for me and my siblings,” Imbert said.
Imbert is a founding member and president of the Migrant Rights Coalition, a campus cultural organization that supports the dignity and rights of immigrants, immigrants, refugees, and first-generation Americans through advocacy, outreach, and inclusion.
“Knowing that I’m making a difference in the CUA community and amplifying voices that go unnoticed or unheard is what inspires me to keep going,” said Imbert. “Even as a student I’m making a difference.”
As a freshman, Imbert participated in Take Flight, a program from the Center for Cultural Engagement that accompanies first-generation college students as they transition into college life. Now a senior, she gives back by mentoring freshmen.
Imbert is also involved in leadership roles with the Black Student Alliance, the Campus Ministry service and justice office, and Orientation, and she works with the Office of Campus Activities and the Student Philanthropy Council.
Imbert said she receives tremendous support in her service work from the Center for Cultural Engagement. She also credits her classes at the Busch School of Business for her leadership training.
“There are many things I have learned about myself while taking these classes; learning how to be a good leader and how to support others,” said Imbert.
In the summer of 2022, Imbert went on a Campus and Justice Ministry Service Immersion Trip in Los Angeles that served people in rehabilitation, inspiring him to work more after graduation in gang rehabilitation and immigration.
Imbert hopes to earn a master’s degree in social work and work with nonprofit organizations. She also dreams of opening her own business, such as a dance studio or recreation center for children in low-income communities.
Imbert’s three keys to success in servant leadership are empathy, listening and kindness.
“Sometimes it’s hard to be a student leader and also be a student,” Imbert said. “But it has helped me realize that my place here at Catholic is to help and support others.”
