Latoya Corbin is the embodiment of a strong female leader. She’s the president of the Black Student Union and actively involved in many other valuable campus organizations. Corbin is well-known, friendly and definitely a fashionista. Her Campus Millersville got a chance to ask Corbin about BSU, her campus involvement and Millersville as a whole. Enjoy!
Her Campus Millersville: What exactly is BSU?
Latoya Corbin: The Black Student Union at Millersville University is an organization formed to enhance the educational and social experience of minority students, while cultivating the importance of diversity amongst the entire student body.
HCM: What types of activities does BSU take part in?
LC: We host numerous events every academic year. We have held educational events featuring speakers such as Cornell West, Dr. Benjamin Carson, and Farrah Gray. Some other activities include day trips to D.C. and Baltimore to visit various museums, trips to amusement parks, cookouts, comedy shows, concerts, and much more.
HCM: What influenced you to get involved in BSU?
LC: I have been on the executive board of the Black Student Union since my freshman year. One reason I decided to apply was that I saw a group of students driven to promote diversity on campus, and I said, “That’s the organization for me!”
HCM: What role do you play in BSU?
LC:On the surface, I am the President and the face of the Black Student Union, but as a member I am a friend, a mentor, and a legacy.
HCM: Who’s eligible to join BSU and how would they do so?
LC: Anyone who is a student of the university and is considered a general board is eligible to join the Black Student Union. In the fall we have an application process, and in the spring, we hold elections.
HCM: What other organizations are you involved in on campus?
LC: I am a member of the President’s Commission on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Millersville Concerned Women, The Gospel Choir at Millersville University, and the Multi-Cultural Outreach Team.
HCM: If you could offer friendly advice or tips to young women just entering the college environment, what would those be?
LC:Who you are and who you are becoming are two different people. Learn from the mistakes and obstacles you faced in high school and reflect on them. Remember, we are not perfect, and “the past is just practice.”
HCM: What do you like most about Millersville?
LC: This may sound generic, but I love that it is just a welcoming place. I never feel alone, I never feel outnumbered, if anything, I sometimes feel I can walk through any building on campus and receive “hello’s” from five different people.
HCM: Are there any professors you feel have had a strong influence on your time here at MU?
LC: Yes. Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El has pushed me to my greatest potential. I have taken three classes with her, and during those classes I learned my flaws and my strengths. If anyone knows Rita, her tongue goes unbitten and I admire that. We need those people who just call you out at any given moment.
HCM: What are your hopes for the future, post-graduation?
LC: I plan to go on to graduate school to pursue a degree in Student Affairs and work towards a Doctorate in Developmental Leadership. I would like to someday start a non-profit organization to aid students in urban communities with their education from 8th grade through high school resulting in their admittance into college. I’d also like to provide counseling for these students up until their sophomore year of college.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Millersville chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.