My name is Shanyu Lin, and I am a first-year student at DKU. In middle and high school, I held leadership roles in publicity and coordinated visual materials, which helped me realize how thoughtful communication can make people feel seen. I am still discovering who I am, but I know that I care deeply about how students understand one another, and how identity, gender, and culture shape our campus experience.

I want to join the Student Leaders Board because I am interested in helping create spaces where diverse perspectives can be explored openly. At DKU, conversations about gender, identity, and cultural background do occur, but they often remain informal or within familiar circles. I do not see this as negative—it is natural—but I believe there is potential to build gentle bridges that make these discussions more visible, approachable, and shared.

I am also motivated by the opportunity to grow personally. I sometimes hesitate to speak up, especially on sensitive or complex topics. I do not yet know the best ways to advocate, structure dialogue, or collaborate with administration—but I want to learn. Through SLB, I hope to understand how student voices can translate into action respectfully and effectively. I aim to contribute to a campus where more perspectives are recognized while developing the confidence and skills to articulate my own.