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.
Yuki Yamashita is pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a double major (psychology and international politics with a concentration in international relations) and plans to graduate in spring 2025. She has served as vice president of the World Campus Psychology Club, vice president of the World Campus Business Club, and PR chair for World Campus Benefitting THON™, and has held several other leadership roles.
What has being a student leader at World Campus meant to you?
“To me, being involved as a student leader at World Campus has meant sharing a sense of solidarity, creating an inclusive community for World Campus students, and personal growth.
Before getting involved as a student leader at World Campus, I felt as if I was isolated because I had no World Campus students around me to talk to. After being part of Psychology Club in 2023, however, I realized that there are so many amazing individuals at World Campus, so I now feel like promoting a sense of belonging amongst World Campus students in clubs as well as making an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome, as other student leaders have striven to be inclusive when working in groups. Speaking of personal growth, getting involved as a student leader has allowed me to get connected with so many World Campus students who I respect for their qualities such as inclusiveness, friendliness, self-discipline, thoughtfulness, and much more. As a result, I feel I have identified numerous personal goals to help improve not only my leadership skills but my personality. I am very thankful and grateful for having a lot of leadership opportunities while learning remotely.”
What do you wish other students knew about being a student leader?
“I wish other students knew that being a student leader can help you not only to get connected with a bunch of amazing people, including other students and faculty, but to have a community where you can be yourself. Of course, there are so many things to learn that I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed; however, I have learned to be organized thanks to peers in a group and all of their advice/support. I have found that there are always peers, faculty, and even alumni who help you out when you reach out to them for support. But I would never have known them had I not made the choice to get involved. At the end of the day, you will be proud of yourself and enjoy the process and connections, so I would highly recommend not to hesitate to improve your leadership skills by being part of World Campus student organizations.”
How have your out-of-class experiences impacted you and/or prepared you for your future career or professional aspirations?
“Every student organization I have gotten involved in so far has impacted me in terms of the personal growth, but I would say Penn State World Campus Benefiting THON™ is one of the most influential communities that has enabled me to have a solid idea on my future career goals. Before getting involved in the community, I had vaguely planned to work as a music therapist as my future goal. While working as PR chair for Penn State World Campus Benefiting THON this year, I managed to specify my future career path, which is to work as a music therapist for Four Diamonds, which Penn State World Campus Benefiting THON supports to help children with pediatric cancer and their families, financially and emotionally. If the executive chair this year, Angela, had not encouraged me to participate in the THON organization, I would have not been able to learn what Four Diamonds does, including the music therapy services. So, Penn State World Campus Benefiting THON has tremendously helped me to specify my post-graduation journey as much as the other student organizations I am part of have led me to better myself.”
What made you choose World Campus?
“I was looking for a place where I would be able to pursue my academic journey and take care of my health condition. For around five years since I was a high school student, I have used my wheelchair to go out due to this condition, and I was not sure if I would be supported physically in the pandemic, where the importance of social distancing was emphasized. That was when I thought I should give up on education. When I found World Campus, however, I was surprised to see how flexible World Campus is, and that is why I decided to be with World Campus as a transfer student. As a result, I feel I’m getting better, and my prognosis is really good.
I really appreciate that students can choose to double major in the fields of study of their interest. As a transfer student, I initially majored only in international relations, which was what I was learning in a previous institution. On the other hand, I always wanted to study music therapy, which is highly related to psychology, so it is quite beneficial that the programs at World Campus allow me to learn the two different fields at the same time to better prepare for my post-graduation journey.”
Anything else you would want to share?
“As the first World Campus student from the Japan Study Abroad Foundation, I had no idea about what my student life was going to be like because I thought I had no one around me to ask about experiences at World Campus. But, again, I was able to find a place where I can feel comfortable and feel secure once I got involved as a student leader. So, I would say, it is important to bear in mind that student leaders at World Campus are inclusive, kind, and thoughtful, so don’t be afraid of pushing yourself to enhance your student life at World Campus.”
Related resources:
- Student organizations — check out the variety of organizations World Campus students can join
- How to form a student organization — if you have an idea for a new student organization, learn about the process for getting it started
