There’s something about Chico State that teaches you how to find your voice, whether you’re ready for it or not. For me, it didn’t happen all at once. It showed up in late-night meetings, in moments of doubt, and in the quiet realization that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but about learning when to speak and when to listen. Four years ago, I walked onto this campus unsure of who I was. Now, I’m leaving with a voice I didn’t know I had.
Getting involved on campus was something I always wanted to do, but I never knew how. When I was in high school, I was heavily involved, and coming off of being senior class president, I craved leadership deeper. I missed the sense of purpose that came with showing up for something bigger than myself, the kind of responsibility that pushes you to grow even when you are not fully ready for it. But when I first arrived at Chico State, I wasn’t sure where I fit or how to begin again.
Like many students, I started small. I went to meetings where I didn’t know anyone, introduced myself more times than I can count, and sat through moments where I questioned if I belonged in the room at all. It wasn’t instant, and it definitely wasn’t easy. But slowly, those unfamiliar spaces started to feel like opportunities instead of obstacles. I realized that getting involved wasn’t about having everything figured out. It was about being willing to try.
That willingness is what led me to take on roles I never imagined for myself. I became Panhellenic President, a position that challenged me to lead with both confidence and empathy while representing a diverse community of women. I stepped into the role of Senator for the College of Communication and Education, where I had the chance to advocate for students and contribute to conversations that shaped our campus experience. And now, as the General Manager of Tehama Group Communications, I have been able to bring everything I have learned into a professional setting by leading a team, working with clients, and turning ideas into real impact.
To me, these roles carried an even deeper meaning. As a Black woman, a first generation college student, and someone who moved eight hours away from home to attend Chico State, I knew I was stepping into spaces that were not always built with people like me in mind. That reality could have made me shrink back, but instead it pushed me forward. I wanted to take my experiences and use them to make this university a better place. I wanted to create space, to advocate for others, and to show that leadership can and should look different. Finding my voice was not just about personal growth. It was about using that voice to represent, uplift, and make lasting change.
Each of these experiences required me to use my voice in ways I had never done before. Not just speaking up, but speaking with intention. There were moments where I had to make decisions that affected others, moments where I had to stand firm in what I believed in, and moments where I had to admit I did not have all the answers. Through it all, I learned that leadership is not about perfection. It is about presence. It is about showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable, and trusting that you are capable of more than you think.
What makes Chico State so special is that it gives you the space to do exactly that. In a place like Chico, you cannot hide in the background forever. It is a smaller community, and because of that, you are constantly given opportunities to step forward, to be seen, and to make an impact. At first, that can feel intimidating, but over time it becomes empowering. You start to realize that your voice matters here. People are listening, and more importantly, they want you to succeed.
As I look ahead to my graduation this May, it is hard not to feel a sense of sadness in leaving a place that has given me so much. I am thankful for the late nights that turned into lifelong memories, for the rooms that once intimidated me but eventually felt like home, and for the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. I am thankful for every challenge that pushed me, every opportunity that shaped me, and every moment that helped me grow into the person I am today.
Four years ago, I arrived at Chico State hoping to get involved. Now, I am leaving with so much more. I am leaving with a voice, with confidence, and with a deep sense of gratitude for the place that taught me how to lead. And while it is difficult to say goodbye, I know that everything this campus has given me is something I will carry forward long after I leave.
To Chico State, a special thank you. And to Her Campus, thank you for giving me the space to use my voice and tell stories that came straight from the heart. Thank you for holding all of my growth, for being the place where I learned, failed, tried again, and became someone I am proud of. Thank you for the spaces that welcomed me, the ones that challenged me, and the ones that pushed me to step into who I was meant to be. You gave me more than an education. You gave me a voice, a community, and a home away from home. And while I may be leaving, a part of me will always belong here.
Once a wildcat, forever a wildcat.