Many of our students at Penn State World Campus are strong leaders whose enthusiasm often motivates their peers to get involved in student organizations and activities. We are excited to spotlight some of these excellent student leaders.
Morgan Colpetzer is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During her time at World Campus, her involvement roles have included being a student leader for the Lion Pride LGBTQ+ affinity group, and she has also served as a research/teaching assistant to Dr. E. Christina Ford.
Helping Other Students Succeed
As she strives to achieve her academic goals, Colpetzer says her student involvement experience has made her realize how important it is to support her peers in making progress toward their own goals, as well.
“Being a student leader has helped me better understand how our mindful interactions and intentional guidance help encourage others to reach their highest potential,” she said. “Making connections, facilitating conflict resolution, and offering resources to students has helped me engage in a meaningful and direct way that, I feel, has helped me grow in effective leadership.”
Gaining Valuable Experience
Colpetzer says her leadership and involvement activities as a student have given her the opportunity to gain skills and experience that will be an asset after she graduates.
“It’s really a rewarding experience to help guide others,” she said. “If you plan to take on leadership roles outside of college, this is a great opportunity to learn what it means to be a good leader, develop communication skills, and learn from the mentorship of faculty members who care about your success.”
Self-Care is Important
If she could go back and give herself one piece of advice when starting her college career, Colpetzer says it would be to allow plenty of time to rest and recharge, to help avoid burnout.
“I would probably tell myself that above all else, the most important thing is to make sure I am taking care of my mental and physical health,” she said. “Being a college student is difficult — expectations are high, and we often do not give ourselves the grace we deserve. I would remind myself to stay present, make time for the people and things I love more often, and take every setback as an opportunity to learn.”
Related Content:
- Student organizations — find out how you can get involved with student organizations at World Campus
- Student Leader Spotlight: Conette Burney — meet Conette Burney, who has served as the chair of the Student Parent Affinity Group at World Campus, among other involvement and leadership roles
