Leadership with Purpose: How Ava’s College Experience Fueled Her Advocacy

Ava first found comfort on campus through the arts, performing in more than half a dozen shows with the Chappell Players Theatre Group. A theater kid in high school, stepping onto the campus stage felt like a natural next chapter. Yet, behind the curtain, another calling was quietly taking shape. 

“I love the arts,” Ava says. “But I was struggling to decide what exactly was the right path for me. I knew I was also passionate about advocacy and wanted to use my voice to make a difference.” 

That drive to speak up and create change had been part of her story long before she ever set foot on campus.  

Rooted in Purpose 

In her early high school years, she served as a Youth Member of Girls Who Code, championing gender diversity in tech. Later on, as a Plan Youth Ambassador and Activist for Gender Equality with Plan International, she used her voice to amplify the stories of underserved communities and stand by the rights of young people worldwide. 

“People have so many ideas and opinions about how others should live and how the world should work,” Ava reflects. “But they don’t always know how to channel that energy positively and constructively.” 

Her passion for creating meaningful, systemic change eventually led her to pursue an interdisciplinary Business major on the pre-law track. 

“This path allows me to help people from all different walks of life,” she explains. “But it also gives me the tools to shape policy and strengthen communities.” 

Ava’s Rise Through University Student Government 

While Ava didn’t arrive on campus with a roadmap for leadership, her passion for advocacy naturally led her toward opportunities to serve.  

When she joined the St. John’s Student Ambassador program and started connecting with peers in Student Government, Inc., something clicked.  

“I remember hearing about Student Government from my peers and thinking, maybe that’s something I could do,” Ava recalls. 

Curious but unsure, she reached out to the Speaker of the Senate during her sophomore year to see if any seats were open.  

Not long after, she was appointed Senator, marking the start of a transformative chapter.  

That first step turned into a steady rise. By the fall of junior year, Ava was elected Secretary. Now, as a rising senior, she’s preparing to take on a new role as the next Student Body President. 

Amber Wilson, Director of First-Year Mentoring Programs, who is not related to Ava but has worked closely with her through the University’s R.I.S.E. Network, has seen that growth firsthand. 

“Every so often, you come across a student whose presence leaves a lasting imprint. For me, that student is Ava,” shares Ms. Wilson. “Ava’s leadership is rooted in empathy, insight, and a deep commitment to the greater good. She moves through every space with a quiet elegance and unshakable grace that inspires those around her.”  

Through the Student Government, Ava found her voice in new ways. She learned how to navigate University operations, advocate for policy change, and help shape decisions directly impacting students, from improving dining services to expanding access to mental health resources. 

That hands-on experience and commitment to change soon became the springboard for opportunities beyond St. John’s.  

Taking Advocacy to National and Global Stages 

During the summer of her sophomore year, Ava was offered the role of Northeastern Representative for UNICEF, a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.   

There, she trained as a children’s rights advocate and explored how young people can transform emotion into action. That advocacy soon led her to speak at conferences hosted by Harvard and Columbia, where she championed the role of youth in creating systemic change. 

Her message didn’t go unnoticed. 

She was later invited to lead and moderate a panel at Microsoft’s headquarters; it was an unforgettable moment that brought her passion for education and gender equity to the forefront. 

“Industry leaders like the VP of LinkedIn wanted to hear from me about gender equality and how we can ensure women get their education,” she says. “It affirmed that my thoughts and ideas matter.” 

These experiences solidified her commitment to gender equity, education access, and youth representation. More importantly, they gave her the confidence to walk into any room, not just as a student, but also as a leader and future lawyer ready to drive meaningful change. 

Mentorship and Career Readiness at St. John’s 

When asked about the true return on investment from her college experience, Ava points to the people who shaped her journey. 

She credits faculty like Joseph Gentile, Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, for creating a classroom environment where students are encouraged to think critically and speak freely. His Constitutional Law class left a lasting impression. 

“He didn’t just teach law,” Ava shares. “He asked what we thought, how it made us feel, and how it applied to our lives.” 

Mentorship also played a pivotal role. Through support from mentorship leaders of R.I.S.E. Network, Ava found support beyond academics.  

“The St. John’s community does a great job helping students feel supported right from the start," she says.  

What’s Next: Law School and a Lasting Impact  

With graduation on the horizon, Ava is setting her sights on law school, with a clear vision of working in spaces where she can influence policy and uplift underrepresented voices. 

“Whether it’s the student who’s quiet but full of ideas, or someone just waiting for someone to see them and help them out—I want to be in those rooms, advocating for them,” she says. 

Beyond her legal aspirations, Ava reflects on what it means to lead and leave a legacy as a student body president and changemaker. 

“It’s not about people remembering my name,” she explains. “It’s about the student who has access to a resource because someone made it happen.”  

She smiles, thinking ahead. 

“A decade from now, I want someone to say, we have this because someone cared enough to fight for it.”