November 25, 2024
Hannah Blythe of West Union, Ohio has found community among young leaders throughout the state of Ohio through Shawnee State’s student trustee program.
By being a student trustee at SSU, Blythe, along with another student trustee, are allowed to sit in meetings and provide input on issues governed by the university’s board of trustees.
"[Being a student trustee] is a really good networking opportunity, because through that I became close with President Braun and the other board members, and I get to understand more about the university,” she said.
Recently, Blythe represented SSU attending a conference at the Inter-University Council in Columbus, where she met student trustees from different universities around the state, and worked in breakout groups to learn more about leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
“The part I liked the most was learning how to communicate politely while still getting your point across in a professional setting,” Blythe said.
As a student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program, Blythe said the communication exercises will help her in her future career when it comes to talking to families or parents of the individuals that she will be helping.
“Please do it,” she advised students interested in applying to be a trustee. “It’s so fun. Also, I find it encouraging to be able to learn about all the great things that the university is doing.”
Blythe is in her second year of the Master of Occupational Therapy program with a projected graduation in December 2025 and said Shawnee State will always hold a special place in her heart for the personal and professional growth it has helped her achieve.
For more information on being a student trustee, visit shawnee.edu/student-trustees