This upbeat Junior always has a smile on her face and is passionate about helping others in her numerous leadership roles on campus. Meet this week’s Campus Celebrity, Nicole O’Connell!
Class Year: 2016
Major: International Relations
Minor: Biology
Hometown: Corning, NY
HC: Why did you choose HWS?
NO: Actually, HWS kind of chose me. I was offered a scholarship during my junior year of high school to attend HWS but I wasn’t interested in coming here at all until I visited campus. Now that I’m here, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else!
HC: What are you involved in on and off campus?
NO: I’m really active within all aspects of student government, including being one of the HWS Student Trustees. I also work for Admissions and Career Services, help organize The Underground, volunteer in the Geneva community and am involved with clubs like Colleges Against Cancer and with cultural club events.
HC: Why did you decide to run for Student Trustee?
NO: I knew from the end of my first year that I wanted to run for Student Trustee. The position was so intriguing to me! I love being in a position where I get to hear the perspectives of so many different students and help voice the opinions of people who feel underrepresented on campus. I shared the passion for HWS that I saw inprevious Student Trustees and I knew this was the leadership role for me.
HC: What has been the most rewarding part of being Student Trustee?
NO: There are so many rewarding aspects of being a Student Trustee, but for me, the best parts are working with alumni and the members of the Board of Trustees. I love being able to really see and hear how much they care about HWS and the students here. The student body put their trust in me to help make changes on campus and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with the board.
HC: How do you balance everything?
NO: I’m don’t sleep much during the week! It is really hard, but I try to get as much done as possible. When I finally achieve something or see that look on someone’s face and realize how my role as Student Trustee impacts other students, it makes staying up until 3 AM to finish my homework worth it.
HC: Who is your role model? Why?
NO: I really admire Mrs. Gearan. She’s an incredible woman who, even behind closed doors, would never say anything ill about others. She has such a passion for empowering students and is so involved with students on campus and also throughout the Geneva community. I really hope to one day be able to make people feel as special and worthy of success as she does.
HC: What is one interesting thing that most people don’t know about you?
NO: After 11 years, I received my black belt in Tae Kwon Doe. It’s funny because people say I look so sweet with the flower in my hair, but I can be dangerous too.
HC: Where did you spend your semester abroad?
NO: I spent last semester abroad in Australia and it was a life changing experience. As much as I missed being on campus, it was refreshing to be able to get off campus and learn about a whole new culture. I also learned so much about myself and gained a greater sense of independence and confidence that will help me be a better leader on campus. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life, but after being put into an unfamiliar culture and being able to explore different parts of the world, I’ve learned what I really want in life. I think of moments from my semester abroad everyday and am so grateful that the CGE provides so many students with incredible experiences like mine.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
NO: I hope to be working internationally at a job that I love and travelling a lot. I used to have my whole life planned out, but I’ve recently learned that I want to just leave it up to opportunities that are presented to me. I leave more of the personal life aspects up in the air, but I hope that I have someone to share my experiences with. I do know that I will definitely have a golden retriever!
HC: Do you have a motto that you live by?
NO: I love the quote, “You were born an original so don’t die a copy.” I think HWS presents us with so many amazing opportunities and a lot of people are afraid to take risks, but I’ve learned that you need to take these risks as they come because you might not have another chance to do so in the future.
“Favorites”:
Place on Campus: Buzzuto Boathouse
Place in Geneva: Halsey’s or Torrey Park
Thing about HWS: Community engagement
Class at HWS: American Sign Language or Vertebrate Biology
Accessory: Flowers in my hair!
Movie: Step Brothers
TV Show: House of Cards
Celebrity Crush: Matt Bomer, Bradley Cooper, Ian Somerfield, Ryan Reynolds. This could go on…