What started as a need to step outside her comfort zone soon has become a chance for Ember Steffens to be a voice for other PennWest Clarion – Venango students.

“This past year I was given many leadership roles, starting with being Student Senate president at the Venango campus,” Steffens said. “The reason I became a student leader was to help boost my confidence in leadership for after college.”

Once Steffens accepted the role, however, she discovered there were many changes happening at Venango campus and “throughout the year, my new reason for becoming a student leader had turned into being a voice for our small campus.”

One major concern was that the café, the only food source at Venango campus, was disappearing. The issue became a priority for Steffens and Student Senate, and this year, due to their efforts, Venango has a café.

In addition to serving as Student Senate president, Steffens served as the treasurer for Venango’s campus activities board, was a Clarion Students Association board member and a member of both the Medical Imaging and CUserve clubs. She also worked as a tutor on campus. Prior to Clarion, she was summer camp counselor and captain of her high school soccer team.

“Ember just finished her term as Venango Student Senate president,” said Casey Beightol, director of campus relations for PennWest Clarion – Venango. “She was a fantastic leader and handled the role and challenges very well, all while excelling in her classes. Ember was the student body spokesperson at meetings of the Venango Forum and Venango Campus Advisory Council, and she worked to keep the campus community informed.”

Steffens, a junior medical imaging major, is in clinical training at UPMC Northwest School of Radiology. She continues to serve as a resident assistant at Venango Campus Apartments.

“The characteristics that I deem most essential to leadership are skills such as communication with the people around you, creative thinking to solve the various problems that might arise, and confidence in leading others,” Steffens said.

Steffens believes the leadership skills she’s gained at Venango will help her to become a leader in her professional field, and she encourages other students to get involved in the many leadership opportunities at PennWest Clarion – Venango.

“My advice to upcoming freshmen is to get involved in clubs on campus,” Steffens said. “Learn from the leaders around you, and take in the skills that are essential to becoming a good leader.”

In honor of her leadership, Steffens was awarded the Frame Outstanding Leadership award at the Venango awards ceremony.

“I never would have seen myself doing this, but after a year of being Student Senate president, I am so glad that I got the opportunity,” Steffens said.