My name is Anastasiia, and I’m a junior majoring in Behavioral Science with a track in Neuroscience. You might have met me outside the classroom. Most likely in the lab, exploring how molecules in our brains shape our behavior, or through a story I wrote for the DKU Communications Office. Maybe I picked you up at the airport as your Orientation Leader. Or you could see me in front of FamilyMart organizing Psychology Club events, speak with me as your Peer Mentor, volunteer beside me at campus initiatives, or even receive an email from me as a Student Ambassador before you arrived at DKU.

You can find me in many places because I care deeply about this community. What makes DKU special to me is its people. Yet, I’ve learned that not everyone’s efforts to make our university better are celebrated. My interest in joining the Student Leaders Board lies in my desire to empower the voices of those whose contributions are not noticed: from the people planting flowers by our dorms to the staff serving meals or creating posts for DKU social media. Even though their work shapes our daily lives, we rarely pause to appreciate it.

If selected, I will work to make DKU a more inclusive, supportive, and respectful home for every individual, independent of their role here. My vision is for this place to be a university where every graduate remembers not only their professors and friends, but also everyone who made their journey possible.