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, positions and organizations. For this installment, we interviewed Keaton Bergeron, an ASB student leader, Office Assistant, Retreat Leader and the Urban Food Project’s Outreach Coordinator. Read on to learn more about how she found what interests her and who her mentors are on campus!
Name: Keaton Bergeron
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Class Year: 2021
Major: Sociology Concentration Social Justice/Social Inequality, Minor in Sustainability
Involvement on Campus: Urban Food Project Outreach Coordinator; COF Orchestra Member; Flute Player in chapel choir; ASB NOLA student leader; Office Assistant at Marketing/Center for Diversity and Inclusion; Service Learning Assistant for COF Environmental Forum; Spring Retreat Leader
Her Campus at Emmanuel: Thank you agreeing to talk with us, Keaton! Can you tell us about your roles on campus?
Keaton: We have bi-weekly meetings for the Urban Food Project, a student organization on campus. As outreach coordinator, my main role is coordinating Food Rescues every Friday. We go to Pret and take the leftover food that would otherwise be thrown out to St. Francis House. I also write grant applications, run social media with other members, and help out in the gardening and education sectors.
For orchestra and choir, I learn different pieces every semester and/or week. I also occasionally get asked to play at different events on campus with other COF musicians.
As ASB leader, Forum Assistant, and Retreat leader, I help plan activities, work with the budget, and write reflections and reflection activities as well as coordinate meetings with other volunteers and attendees.
For my on-campus jobs I assist the employees in the marketing office as well as the diversity and inclusion employees in various tasks. I act as a liason for the offices to also promote activities via social media and signage. Between the two, I work somewhere between 12-14 hours each week.
HCE: How did you find things you are passionate about at Emmanuel?
KB: Many of the things I am a part of relate to service. I have always been passionate
about service, so I was seeking ways to connect service to my major and other interests at Emmanuel. I have also received recommendations for different groups and events from faculty around campus.
HCE: Do you have any mentors? Tell us a little bit about them?
KB: I definitely have multiple mentors around campus. First would be Jeff Smith from
the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Jeff hired me as a freshman to be an office assistant, and I feel like I learn from him every time we talk. I look to him for anything from personal advice to academic questions, and he is a great person to process anything with.
Another mentor would be Adam Silver, who is a Poli-Sci professor. Professor Silver is the advisor for UFP and teaches “Food Policy and Social Justice” which I took my first semester at Emmanuel. He also got me involved with UFP and is always a good connection for finding opportunities of any kind.
HCE: What are some challenges you face as a student leader?
KB: I would say a challenge is figuring out everything that needs to be done for each position. There are constant meetings or projects to be done, so sometimes managing it all can be a bit stressful.
HCE: How has being a student leader helped you?
KB: More than anything, being involved has helped me pinpoint just what interests me. I have figured out through all of the service work that I want to work in a non-profit down the line. This realization got me two internships last summer with different non-profits. Each experience I have since this realization has helped me pave the path to narrow just what my future will look like.
HCE: What advice do you have for students who want to become student leaders?
KB: I would advise you to try out anything that seems intriguing. You never know
what you like until you try it, so I would recommend attending different meetings, volunteer opportunities, and any tabling or club fairs! The next step from there is networking and building connections with professors or anyone who can help you get connected.
HCE: What would you tell your freshman self?
KB: I would tell my freshman self that everything will figure itself out and work itself
out how it is supposed to. That is not to say it isn’t important to try different things, but soon enough you will watch your path pave itself as you pursue your interests.
We thank Keaton 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.