Senior Emily Hawkins, a Peace and Conflict Studies major, holds a multitude of leadership positions among various activities. Hawkins started off this summer by traveling to South Africa through one of Colgate’s extended studies programs. Following the trip, she lived at Colgate and worked for the Upstate Institute’s Young Scholars program, which is a non-profit organization that helps to motivate local students to stay in school. 

 A third-year link, Hawkins has previously served as First Year Experience/Link Staff intern, meaning she spent the summer working with Dean Lowe to prepare  for first-year orientation and plan Link Staff training. 

“It changed my Colgate experience in the best ways,” Hawkins said. “Each year has been different and rewarding in its own ways and I’m so thankful to have training to come back to after each summer. Leading a group of first–years through orientation and providing them support throughout the year has allowed me to expand my leadership skills and connect with so many people I may have never met. Being a third-year Link this year comes with lots of extra responsibility, but being the intern last year was my most significant contribution to the Link Staff program in general.”

As program coordinator for Yes Means Yes, Hawkins plans the seminars and is a facilitatorof the sessions. She also helps to produce “This is Not a Play About Sex.”

“I got involved with the play last year and I think it is such a unique and special, not to mention entertaining, way to communicate about sex, relationships, hooking up, intimacy and slew of other topics with the greater Colgate community,” Hawkins said. 

Hawkins also serves as President of the Konosioni Senior Honor Society. 

“I have a lot on my plate this year, but it’s humbling to be a part of so many important initiatives on campus,” Hawkins said. 

Throughout her many activities, Hawkins says that the best part is the people she interacts with. 

“My favorite thing to do is be with people,” Hawkins said. “All of the groups I’m a part of and friends I’ve made have saved me.”