Her Campus at Emmanuel is thrilled to present our Student Leader Spotlight Series, a series of articles featuring student leaders from a variety of clubs, jobs and organizations. For this installment, we interviewed Executive Secretary of the Student Government Association and Web and Blog Coordinator for Emmanuel College Dance Marathon Alexis Scrima. Read on to learn more about who inspired her to pursue these positions and what she would tell her freshman self!
Name: Alexis Scrima
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Class Year: 2021
Major: Writing, Editing and Publishing with a double minor in Communication & Media Studies and Organizational Leadership
Involvement on Campus: Executive Secretary for the Student Government Association, Web and Blog Coordinator for Emmanuel College Dance Marathon
Her Campus at Emmanuel: Hi, Alexis! Thank you for agreeing to talk with us. Can you start by telling us about your roles on camps?
Alexis Scrima: For SGA, I take the minutes twice weekly at our Full Senate and Executive Board meetings. The minutes are basically just a written account of what was said during the meeting in case we ever need to look back on a vote or a decision made by the senate. It is a very hectic position with a large time commitment. I spend about 12 hours a week formatting and editing the minutes and I also keep track of attendance for the full senate meetings. For ECDM, I update our new blog bi-weekly, we just started our Alumni Spotlight series I am really excited for, and I update the website as needed with new merchandise, new memories and new events! I also help out the rest of the Branding Committee as much as I can! I probably spend about 14 hours a week on dance marathon, it really depends on if we have a big push day and are tabling, or if it is second semester like it is now and ECDM work is in full swing!
HCE: How did you find things you are passionate about at Emmanuel?
AS: ECDM was something I walked by in the dining hall freshman year and instantly knew it was something I wanted to do. My brother had been treated at BCH and the work they do for the hospital is incredible. I started my freshman year as a color team leader and I wasn’t going to initially apply, I was a little afraid to get involved as a freshman, but Tatiana Havens, who I had know from the S.T.A.R.T. program, recommend I apply and the rest is history! My first dance marathon was so moving and the feeling you get from it is like no other. Last year was my first year on the executive board and that made it even more incredible to be a part of the organization. With SGA, it was the same thing really. I didn’t know how to get involved and I never really thought of joining Student Government, but my friend Taylor told me about a opening on the class of 2021 board and told me to go for it. It was for class secretary and I guess you could say I’ve been a secretary ever since. My sophomore year, while also taking on a new role in ECDM, I stepped up to executive secretary on SGA and continued until where I am now. I am really passionate about the work that both ECDM and the SGA do on campus and I am so thankful for all the friends and memories they have given me!
HCE: Do you have any mentors?
AS: Dan Darcy was definitely a mentor to me. He was great at telling you your strengths you didn’t know you had. I may not have ever moved up in SGA had I not been encouraged to go for it. As cliche as it may seem, I think of my senior and alumni ECDM and SGA members as mentors. I don’t want to name them all because there are so many, but their countless dedication and passion are what motivate and inspire me and I think of them as my mentors in that way. They constantly help me grow as a student leader whether they have graduated or are still on campus.
HCE: What are some challenges you face as a student leader?
AS: Time management is a challenge I constantly run into. It is definitely hard to balance classes with two big on campus involvement positions. I often have to manage my time well so that I can make sure I leave time for SGA and ECDM, and my classes, and for myself. I also find it challenging at times to stay motivated. In some positions, it can seem like the work you are doing is going unnoticed, which can lower my motivation to keep doing the task at hand. Finding time for myself is also a challenge I have, but I have certainly gotten better at that this year.
HCE: How has being a student leader helped you?
AS: I’ve always liked being a leader and when I came to Emmanuel, I was amazed by the amount of student leaders on campus! I have grown so much, not only as a person, but also in my skills and abilities as a leader thanks to my leadership positions. I have met so many amazing students, faculty and staff through these positions that I would not have crossed paths with had I not have been a student leader. I got to learn a lot more about myself becoming a student leader. I know what kind of environment I work best and what kind of people I work best with. I’ve been able to carry my strengths I’ve gained from being a student leader over to my current job which has made all the difference. I wasn’t sure where I really wanted to go in life when I was a freshman, as most of us do, and being a part of something on campus helped me develop what I want to do.
HCE: What advice do you have for students who want to become student leaders?
AS: Go for it! You never know until you try. It can feel a bit intimidating to go through a whole process, but the end results are so worth it. Find what you are passionate about and run with it. It may take a few involvement fairs and some awkward conversation, but you never want to do something you aren’t fully invested and passionate about. If you want to become a student leader, do it! If you don’t think you are ready yet, there are so many incredible resources on campus that can help you work out those things and find your strengths! Talk to a faculty or staff member, talk to a student who you know is involved, making those connections can help you grow more and feel more confident in your abilities. Anyone can be a leader as long as they set their mind to it!
HCE: What would you tell your freshman self?
AS: I really had to think about this question for a while. I would tell my freshman self to not be afraid to get involved and doing what you are passionate about. College is not like high school (it’s honestly better) and you are going to grow so much. Don’t be afraid of change, it’s inevitable and needed in some instances. Make connections and relationships and don’t worry if some fall through. You’ll learn so much about yourself these next few years and before you know it’ll be over. There’s always someone rooting for you and watching you succeed and grow. And lastly, don’t worry so much about the little things and focus on the big picture.
We thank Alexis for taking the time to interview with us and share her experiences as a student leader! If you are interested in being featured or would like to nominate a student leader to be featured, please email hardingv@emmanuel.edu.