Honorable Mention Winner
Jennifer Whitesel
Nova Southeastern University
Junior in Humanities & Psychology
3.63 GPA
     "The three years that I have spent at Nova Southeastern University have been incredible and full of experience," says Whitesel, 20. "I have had many opportunities to hold leadership positions in different organizations and activities on campus and off."
     As a resident advisor, Whitesel offers students guidance and assistance with drug addictions, family problems, and everyday stresses. "The position requires great maturity and diplomacy," says Suzanne Ferriss, associate dean of liberal arts. "Jennifer has successfully organized educational programs, provided crisis intervention, and facilitated conflict mediation." Because of her spirit, energy, and creativity, Whitesel won the "Residential Life Spirit Award" in 2000.
     Also as an RA, Whitesel created programs to promote on-campus living, including the first annual "Birthday Bash," "Goodwin Hunting"—a posted logic-question for students to answer—and in March, a weeklong competition called "Floor Wars." Whitesel, along with four other RAs, created "Floor Wars" to "encourage spirit, promote healthy competition, and build community," she says. "We also incorporated a community service activity (Penny Wars) and collected $242 for one of our professor’s 150-mile bike ride for multiple sclerosis."
     Whitesel also is an active member of Nova’s Advancement Toward the Understanding and Researching of the Environment (NATURE). Through diverse community service and educational programs, she teaches students about environmental issues and promotes changes in school policy for recycling. "Our community service activities include park and beach clean-ups, tree planting, and medicinal garden up-keeps," Whitesel says.
     Athletics play a major role in Whitesel’s college career also. In 1998, she helped the team win a Conference Championship and attend nationals.
     This year she’s captain of the women’s cross country team because of her valuable leadership.
     In addition, Whitesel is active in Alpha Chi honors fraternity and currently is the associate editor of The Knight campus paper. As an editor, Whitesel is most proud of the paper’s recent changes. She dedicated her spring break, along with The Knight’s business manager, to creating a new layout, and since then, "the response to the paper has been incredible," Whitesel says. They’ve gotten "e-mails, phone calls, writers looking for jobs, and faculty support," she says. "This is a great opportunity to expand my horizons and advance the understanding and knowledge of campus affairs and college life."
     "Many students would be advised to focus on fewer obligations," says Samantha G. Goodman, program coordinator for the office of Residential Life. "Yet Ms. Whitesel has consistently demonstrated her capabilities to excel in each of her activities on a professional level."
     She finances her education with grants and athletic and academic scholarships. She also supports herself through summer positions and school jobs.
Contact Whitesel at whitesel@nova.edu.