Senior Christina Kopka is just like any other student here at TCNJ. The marketing and Spanish double major can be seen taking the same classes as you and me. She can be found eating in Eickhoff and running programs for Reslife. The Community Advisor is also often seen running tours as an Ambassador around campus. But Christina holds one very different and powerful position on campus that goes above and beyond: she is the President of our Student Government.
Although the United States has not seen a female leader yet, TCNJ has. Christina is not the first female SG president and she surely will not be the last.
“I believe that the last female SG President was about 5 years ago,” Christina said in an e-mail interview. “There were a few others in the past as well, such as Heather Fehn, who currently works in President Gitenstein’s office.”
Past SG presidents – both male and female – have gone on to do great things in their lives, such as joining Teach for America, or like Heather Fehn, continuing on with college politics. But it has not always been as easy for the females in this high-powered position.
“After I was elected, I feared that I would not be taken seriously as a female leader on campus,” said Christina. “Looking back, the fact that I felt the need to prove myself as a female leader indicates that sadly, differences do still exist between how males and females are perceived in these types of roles.”
Christina pointed out that in certain instances, such as when making authoritative decisions regarding frustrating subjects, she may be seen as “emotional or bitchy” rather than as someone just taking a stance for what they believe in. Regardless, Christina understands that other women have struggled with this in the past and she can see that her experience has been a positive one in the end compared to those leaders before her.
“I think many women in leadership positions struggle with this ‘invisible’ irksome obstacle,” said Christina. “That being said, my experience in this role has been very positive and certainly much easier than the women of history who fought for my right to be here.”
Although she may be humble and unaware of her impact, Christina has become more than just another face on campus – she has become a role model for so many other young females at this college. With this position, Christina hopes to help other girls follow in her footsteps – whether that actually involves becoming SG president, or even if it is the smallest step towards following your dreams.
“I would say know what you want and don’t let anything deter or distract you from that objective,” said Christina. “I’m not saying to ignore advice or shut out the opinions of others but rather to not let any of those things prevent you from pursuing what you really want. And never underestimate the effect you have on other people. So much good is done through the simplest things and its important to recognize that.”