If there is one thing you are involved in now that your freshman self would have never dreamed of, what would it be?
A: “I would say Alpha Phi Omega. As an LGBTQA+ person and someone who now identifies with the transgender community, I was questioning it freshman year, I was very nervous about Greek organizations. Granted, APO (Alpha Phi Omega) is not under the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office, but it still has Greek letters and freshman me thought that was [a] red flag. I was very cautious with Greek organizations, but now I am the chapter president.” – James Renton
A: “Probably the music student advisory council. This was the student org that myself and the music program head founded last year. After some music students had some grievances with the music faculty, they didn’t know where to bring that or what to do with it. I brought this to the music program head and he said, ‘We have to have a system where students have their voices heard.’ I received an email over summer that said, ‘Hey guess what, you’re the president.’ It was a really wonderful opportunity to learn how to lead and build an organization with the help of Dr. Sanders and my team. I don’t think my freshman self would’ve ever thought I would lead on campus.” – Meg Booker
How do you feel you have grown because of NKU’s campus?
A: “I think there is the aspect of connection and community on NKU’s campus. I have said this before, but I have gotten to know people of different aspects and cultures and different ways of life. It has opened me up to new perspectives and things like that. I overall was able to get more involved in my community.” – Ryn Lonemann
A: “When I came in as a freshman, the first year I didn’t really get involved in many things, I was focused on my studies. I was just inside my own circle of friends, but knowing the community here, it’s been really helpful for me, since I am 10,000 miles away from home. And the organizations here help you meet a lot of people because it’s such a close-knit community and when that happens, you are involved in literally everything that your friends do. And that has helped me a lot, because although initially I was not really involved, when I started getting involved a little bit, the next year, my sophomore year, I felt a connection more deep. So now I try to go to as many events as possible and I try to stay connected with the people around and make more friends.” – Ojashwi KC
What is something your freshman self would be proud of?
A: “Something that is really big is imposter syndrome, especially as a woman in engineering, and sometimes you need to celebrate your accomplishments. I am excited to be able to say I’m an engineer. It has always been a dream of mine and I am proud of myself for actually being able to say that soon!” – Jaycie Bussell
A: “Out of the two clubs that I am in, definitely the Norse Leadership Society. It definitely has opened me up as a person. Freshman year and high school I was introverted, and I still am introverted, but I did not think that I would make so many connections and friends— even friends with faculty across campus. I feel that the younger version of me would not be able to do that, and now that I am a senior and I have been here for so long, people know me and I know the resources and people I can talk to on campus. It is crazy to me how many people stop by and say, ‘Hey Ryn’ or ‘Hey Ryn from this and this and this.’ It is just wild.” – Ryn Lonemann
What advice do you have to give to your freshman self?
A: “I’d say you should prioritize building a support system because making friends and connecting with professors and joining student organizations, especially those that cater toward the international students. If you are an international student, finding something that caters toward that is what you need the most. When you start prioritizing building that support system and making networks and seeking help from organizations, it makes your journey easier and you can actually flourish a little more. When you have connections, you have a lot of things you can do and a lot of options. When you are in college you are still trying to figure out, especially in your freshman year, what you really want to do, and that helps a lot with getting advice from people. So, I’d say prioritize building a support system on campus and seek help when needed.” – Ojashwi KC
