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Jenna Sergent

PSA Student Jenna Sergent smiling

Why did you choose WVU?

I chose WVU because it was just the right distance away from home while still feeling exactly like being home. Spending most of my life living in WV, I grew grateful for the beauty and the community the state has to offer and it was hard to think about leaving. I had toured other colleges before ours and I didn’t feel as comfortable or as welcomed as I did when I stepped onto our campus. Even though my heart was set on going out of state for college, I had a gut feeling that this was the right place for me. I knew that if I attended WVU, I would still be immersed in both the environment I was comfortable with and a challenging, unfamiliar one where I had the opportunity to grow and shape my identity. The affordability of going to an in-state college was also a huge factor in my decision process. Because I’ve had to worry a bit less about funding my education here rather than an out-of-state school, I’ve had so much more opportunity to be more involved in the campus community and explore in the things I’m passionate about.

What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?

Though it is not a very specific memory, I know that I will look back most fondly on the time I spent with the members and leadership of student organizations I am in. I can remember being in a meeting near finals time where we decided to meet just to relieve some stress of exams, and while everyone was goofing off a bit, I had realized that these were the people I wanted by my side for the rest of my college experience and beyond. Because I took the leap to try new things and meet new people, I have found some of my closest, most supportive friends that I get the pleasure of making more memories with.  

Why did you want to become a PSA?

I wanted to become a PSA because I knew that it would be a great opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills so that I could be a better leader both in the positions I currently hold and the ones that I may hold in the future. I also wanted to take this opportunity to focus on developing my leadership skills through service to the community. Because I have been welcomed so graciously into so many supportive programs and educational fields, I wanted to take the opportunity to give back to them through the program’s service component. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be a  PSA without these great communities, so it is very important to me that I express my gratitude for them by giving back.

What did you learn from the PSA experience?

The PSA program most importantly taught me invaluable public speaking skills. Before this class, I would do whatever was necessary to avoid speaking in front of groups of people, but now, I feel prepared and confident in my speaking abilities for any situation. I also learned how important service through leadership is. I now know how crucial it is to be a leader that works alongside their followers and advocates for them and the change they wish to see. A personal development I’ve noticed after completing the PSA program is that I’ve become more confident in myself and my opinions and I am more willing to speak up about change that I wish to see.

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