Creating belonging within a campus community.
One of my main missions while a part of a university environment is to make everyone feel a sense of belonging. Universities are stronger when people feel connected. Unfortunately, transitioning to college (and then to graduate school) can be isolating, particularly at large institutions. I strive to try and build an inclusive setting where people can be themselves, push towards a shared mission, and find a home on campus. I have been able to do this through student organizations that focus on student fan experience at athletics and first year student welcome events.
Using sport as a vehicle for inclusivity
Photo Credit:
Penn State Athletics Photography 2023
Sport has been lauded as the great unifier and I believe in this whole heartedly. I was President (2022-23), Executive Officer (2023-25), and Co-Advisor (2025-26), of a student organization at The Pennsylvania State University responsible for student fan experience at men’s and women’s ice hockey. While on the surface, the mission for this organization is to passionately support athletics, my overarching goal within this position is to use sport as a vehicle to foster a community and connect people on campus.
Through this organization, I have had the amazing opportunity to speak in front of the entire incoming first year class at Penn State, and for three years, I have maintained an active presence at many events throughout the entire first-year welcome week and onward throughout each semester.
​
I noticed early on in my time in college at the University of New Hampshire, and then at Penn State, that students coming from high school, or students transferring from other universities, can sometimes struggle to find their place on campus when they first arrive. To help alleviate this angst, I work extremely hard to provide an inclusive and spirited environment where all students can have a home and feel a sense of pride in being part of the University community.
​
In my role at Penn State I have led a group of approximately 1,000 primarily undergraduate students from all areas of the University. We are the leaders driving the student fan experience at Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey and we work extensively with Penn State University administration, athletics marketing and promotion, fan experience, ticketing, communications, event staff, and gameday experience personnel. Additionally, I work diligently to drive equal attention towards women’s ice hockey, a traditionally less supported team compared to their male counterparts.
​
In college at the University of New Hampshire, I was Vice President (2018-19), and President (2019-21), of a similar organization that was responsible for encouraging school spirit on campus and at all sporting events. In this role, my goal remained the same: To unify the campus community while creating a positive, passionate and inclusive atmosphere in which students feel as though they are part of a common goal.
​
I worked with various levels of the University of New Hampshire Administration towards this goal. This included working with athletics administration, residential life, admissions, and campus recreation and even the University of New Hampshire President. I worked each year with administration to plan undergraduate first year move in weekend. We were involved in all the welcoming events and activities. I was able to speak in front of all first-year undergraduates (~3,000) each year during this welcome weekend. Further, I assisted with open houses and admitted student events throughout the year.
​
My last year in college was particularly challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With classes partially remote, and contact tracing in full effect, isolation was at an all-time high across campus. During this time I advocated for students to the administration and worked to try and connect students- even in a time filled with so much distance and uncertainty. We transitioned our operations to remote and adjusted how we worked but still maintained our mission. I am proud of how we navigated the organization through such a difficult year.
Driving attention to adaptive athletics
One of the pleasures that I have had in my role with Men's Hockey at Penn State is that I have been able to work with the Happy Valley Coyotes Sled Hockey team.
Over the last three years, the Penn State Men's Ice Hockey program has organized a large fundraiser to support the adaptive hockey program, where players use sit-down sleds rather than traditional skates.
Since 2023, the Coyotes have played in an annual fundraising exhibition game. I have had the wonderful opportunity to lead the fan experience at each game. I get the pleasure of interfacing with the community and members of the Coyotes team each year at the event. Since we began assisting the efforts of the PSU Men's hockey team, we have been highly successful in drawing and maintaining a strong passionate crowd each year.
​
The event started as a fundraiser—but it has become so much more since its inception—transforming into one of the highlights of every Penn State hockey season. This event gives the adaptive hockey players the opportunity to play in front of a passionate crowd and show off their skills. I am proud to see how much the event has grown each season and I look forward to seeing it grow even more.