If you attend any event that has to do with American politics, you’re sure to find Stella Pabis there. A member of a number of the political clubs on campus, you’ll find her at a Town Hall debate, a voter registration drive, or leading the Republican club. See what this future lawyer has to say about Siena!
Name: Stella Pabis
Class: 2017/Senior
Major: American Studies with Pre-Law certificate and Political Science Minor
Favorite spot on campus: There’s a rock across from Townhouse 2 and I love to sit there. It’s very peaceful and calming for me, I couldn’t tell you why.
Favorite on-campus food: I’d have to say, I love the sandwich bar in Saga. They have so many options, it’s nice.
HC Siena: What are you involved in here on campus?
SP: I am president of the College Republicans Club. I am also Vice President of the Political Science Society. I act as Chairperson of Student Conduct Review Board. I am Chief-of-Staff of Pre-Law Society. I am the editor of the politics section of The Promethean. Currently, I have an internship with Jeanne Obermayer, the Student Affairs Compliance Officer.
HC Siena: You’re very involved on campus. How did you become so involved?
SP: It was junior year and I did not feel that I had immersed myself enough in Siena, so I joined a bunch of stuff. I went to the club fair and went kind of bananas. I stuck with the stuff I loved and new passions emerged and awakened. Since I had immersed myself, new opportunities came up at the end of last semester and I couldn’t say no.
HC Siena: Why do you think it’s important to be involved on Siena’s campus? Do you have any advice for people looking to become more involved?
SP: I have met some of the most amazing people from getting involved. Part of the reason junior year started a little rocky for me was that I was kind of in between friends. Getting involved on campus saved me in a way. I’ve learned a lot of skills. I learned public speaking skills, communication skills, and how to engage with people constructively. I think if I hadn’t, I’d be a lot less prepared for the real world, honestly. I guess my advice would be to not overdo it because the stress can be intoxicating sometimes. But make sure you have the one thing you love and stick with it, so you don’t have regrets when you leave this campus, for sure.
HC Siena: What’s your one thing that you love?
SP: That’s hard, it’s almost like picking a favorite child. But – there is no but to that; I don’t want to choose. Maybe that’s why I’m a little too involved. There’s so much to be passionate about in my life and I can’t just pick one thing.
HC Siena: What is your favorite thing about Siena?
SP: I would say that my favorite aspect is how willing this community is, especially the students, to dive into things. I was at the International Food Fest the other night, and yes, there’s free food, but I was just so happy that students were there and willing to come and surround themselves with things they might not have been familiar with. I will say that of the people I’ve interacted with on this campus, they’re not involved in just one thing – they’re super involved and they’re passionate. I think that’s the thing I love most about Siena. Alongside my passions, I get to observe and enjoy other people experiencing and sharing theirs with the community. I’m grateful for that.
HC Siena: What do you think makes Siena special?
SP: Perspective, and a willingness to share that perspective. I’ve been in other situations with students from other places and there’s a reluctance to share their perspective, but not at Siena. I know we might not be the most diverse campus, a fact which makes me a little sad, but I do think every person comes here with a very unique perspective. I think everyone brings that to the table both in clubs and in class and I think that makes the engagement here even better.
HC Siena: What do you love the most about your major?
SP: It’s incredibly multifaceted. The best way to explain it is as a combination primarily of U.S. history, American literature, and political science. Except there’s even more room to explore, especially as it’s in the liberal arts department. I was able to take an American Education class. At first, I thought it was a non-issue, but it’s become something I’m incredibly passionate about and now I want to work on education policy. Having that opportunity to dabble is so incredible and rewarding. I am so lucky that someone pointed out American Studies to me freshman year.
HC Siena: What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Siena?
SP: That’s so hard…the summer between sophomore and junior year, I didn’t have a lot to do, so I decided to take Writing 101, which fulfills a requirement for pre-law. It changed me, I think. Maybe that sounds ridiculous, but it changed my entire writing style; it changed my entire outlook on writing. I felt like a different student from that point forward. I’m so glad I decided to do that. Now I’m taking my third class with that professor, because she’s absolutely amazing.
HC Siena: You were a part of Summer Legal Fellows. What did that experience teach you and how did it help you?
SP: I learned a lot from other people’s mistakes. A lot of the summer was going through and correcting errors to get the law clinic back on track. It made me appreciate all the work and time that goes into handling case files. Honestly, I have solemnly sworn that if I am ever working with files as a lawyer, I will keep them pristine. It’s so time-consuming and impractical. If you’re sitting in trial and don’t know where something is, that can lose you a case. I have a newfound appreciation for organization.
HC Siena: What are your plans for after Siena?
SP: My goal is to study constitutional law in Washington D.C.