The Mount never fails to offer endless opportunities for students to step up and become leaders in every aspect around campus. Whether it's in Campus Ministry as a student leader, working down in the IT department, or helping run the Student Government Association (SGA), every student has the chance to step up and lead in some way.
During my time at the Mount, I wasted no time nor effort to make myself known and a working presence on this campus. This week, I'll list some of my roles throughout the years and share my experiences with you.
Sports Nutrition Work Study - My money-making hustle on campus. I was hired by Sports Dietitian and Nutrition Science Professor Lindsey Field in the winter of 2023 as her first and only work-study position. During my time working for her at the Fueling Station for the D1 athletes on campus, I became the social media manager, coordinating intern "social media takeovers" and being there when she couldn't be as an extra set of eyes, ears and hands. With this being my last semester as a Mountie, this job will certainly be a position I will miss a lot. I've enjoyed working with new and different interns every semester and being the go-to person when Lindsey was not around. I got to know so many athletes throughout the years; being able to aid in their development and performance was such an awesome experience for me.
Peer Leader/Peer Mentor - Peer Leaders are like Orientation leaders, but they take over aiding first-year students throughout their first year, while Orientation leaders only work with students during June Orientation and August Orientation. Peer Leaders help run Night Against Procrastination (or NAP), Taste of Majors, Study Hall, and recently, Sophomore Summit. Peer mentors work one-on-one with individuals to help them achieve their goals and guide them throughout their year. I participated in both programs and while there are moments of discouragement in working with unmotivated students, there are so many more moments of triumph.
Republican's Club President (2023-24) - During my junior year, I became the president of the Republican Club. I enjoyed being the sounding board for our 250+ members and coming up with new and creative events to promote. Once the year ended, I stepped down to allow new leadership to rise, as customary in our handbook, and became the secretary. We hold barbecues every semester, inviting everyone regardless of political stances to hang out and have a good time. This past year, we began building a Young Americans for Freedom or YAF chapter on campus, which will be active starting next year. This was one of my favorite roles because it opened up so many opportunities for me, such as attending high-profile conferences and even landing me an internship with Congressman Andy Harris this past summer.
SGA Senator - Becoming president of a club also entails you becoming an SGA senator (along with anyone else in leadership within your club). Being a senator meant being able to vote on bills to pass to the university president, making valuable and needed changes. For instance, a new lighting bill was passed last semester that will increase lighting in darker areas of campus during the night, which will aid in the comfort of students walking from place to place during those hours. You can thank the folks in the SGA for that!
First Gen Student Ambassador - Being a first-gen student means that neither of your parents got a degree. My parents went to community college classes, and my mom earned a certification, but otherwise, did not earn degrees. Being a first-gen student is something to be celebrated, and Mount St. Mary's ensures that you will be if you choose to make that fact known. Starting this year, the APEX office will provide free first-gen graduation stoles to graduating seniors (like me) to wear on graduation day. Some people find being a first-gen student to be a sensitive topic, but I am proud to be the first in my family (as well as the first cousin/grandchild on either side of my family) to earn a degree.
Orientation Leader - This position was more fun than work in my eyes. For any incoming or current student, if you see us having an absolute ball, you better believe we are. For about two-and-a-half years, I participated in the Orientation office as one of the student leaders. In June we welcomed all incoming first-year students to learn about the school and prepare them for August. Then, in August, we aided in move-in day, getting them accustomed to their new surroundings, making new friends, and preparing them for their first semester on campus. Being a part of their grand beginning to their new chapter and then watching them grow into themselves was so rewarding. Orientation was so much fun because being a part of the crew of other leaders made it so. People from all areas of campus would come together to welcome incoming first-year students and become close in the process. At the end of the long days of either June or August orientation, we would meet up to play games, go on adventures around hidden campus gems for hang-out spots, and all around have a good time.
You may think this is a lot, but this is only the beginning of all the things I got to be a part of here at the Mount. I spent my time here well, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Every experience has truly made me more prepared for life.
With that, I'll see you all in the next one!