For senior accounting major Sarah Kessler, advocacy is one of the most important aspects of her student experience at Bemidji State University.

From a young age, the Grand Rapids native found opportunities to make a difference in her community. She was active in Itasca County 4-H and served on the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines council. She continues to help manage governance and stakeholder relations for Girl Scouts of the USA as a member of its Movement Governance Advisory Team. Becoming so involved in community organizations showed Kessler that she had a real knack for leadership.

“I found different opportunities for leadership in these different organizations,” Kessler said. “They helped me prepare for the role that I have now and leadership roles that I may pursue in the future.”

Kessler arrived at BSU in the fall of 2022 and immediately found an opportunity to make a difference on campus by becoming a student senator. She quickly rose through the Senate’s various leadership roles, serving as vice president the following semester and being elected Student Senate president in May 2023. She says this role has helped her become a more engaged student on campus.

“Serving as the Student Senate president has expanded my perspective as a student,” she said. “I have seen both sides of the student experience and the efforts needed to promote a campus community that serves its students, staff and faculty.

“I recognized the importance of this student organization and the power we hold as an official voice for students,” Kessler said. “Student representation is central to the decisions being made at BSU.”

Student Senate’s 13 members meet on campus every Wednesday. In addition to the president and vice president positions, the organization’s cabinet includes chair positions that advocate for academic, campus and inclusivity projects at BSU.

“The organization brings students in touch with faculty and administration through discussions and processes, such as drafting bills to enact change on campus,” Kessler said.

Kessler said she is helping BSU’s Student Senate pursue initiatives that improve connections between students and other members of the campus community, part of an ongoing effort to recover from the relative isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We also hope to make strides for students in terms of transportation and accessibility,” Kessler said.