PHOTO: Sheena Collum.
STORY: Sheena Collum of Starkville, Miss., began at Seton Hall University much like the students who still need a map to find the University Center.
Currently a junior, she is majoring in political science with a double minor in diplomacy and international relations and economics.
She will also receive a certificate in business law by the end of her tenure at Seton Hall.
By the time she graduates, Seton Hall and the Village of South Orange will never be the same.
Currently, Collum is the speaker for the Student Senate, president of the Class of 2006, treasurer for the College Democrats and a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary.
She is also an active competitor of the Brownson Speech and Debate Team.
As a freshman she was named National Volunteer of the Year, a title awarded by the American Health Care Association for her devotion to senior citizen issues.
She devotes time to the Don Bosco Youth Center of Orange, NJ and Democracy for America where she volunteers.
Collum has been politically active, working on several campaigns ranging from town council and board of education elections to her recent undertaking as a volunteer for Presidential nominee John Kerry.
Despite her numerous extracurricular responsibilities, Collum has managed to maintain a 3.85 GPA.
She attributes much of her success to the good study habits she learned in freshmen studies.
When asked what changes she would like to see between now and when she graduates, Collum said she would like the majority of students to register to vote in the Village of South Orange and have representation.
“For many years, the voice of students has faded simply because of a lack of knowledge as to how to make a difference,” Collum said.
As Deputy Chair for the Student Liaisons and a recent member of the South Orange Alliance for Redevelopment, Collum is doing everything within her power to make sure her dream becomes a reality.
“I’m here to give the message that each student deserves the highest quality of living during their stay at SHU and that will only be done when students realize that the power lies within their hands,” she said.
Within the past week, over four hundred students have registered to vote in South Orange.
Collum’s hard work stems from the fact that the student body of Seton Hall is her favorite thing about the campus.
“I’ve come to the realization that I am surrounded by some of the greatest people in the world. I’ve become the person I am by learning from my peers. Whether it’s my roommates or the members of the Student Government Association, I am truly inspired,” Collum said.
Student apathy, however, is a problem that Collum has dealt with.
“I think a lot of students give up on themselves and learn to not care about things that may directly affect them,” she said.
“Involvement” means different things to different people at Seton Hall University.
When used to describe Collum, the word is most certainly an understatement.
To become involved with the Seton Hall voter registration initiative, contact Collum at collumsh@shu.edu.
Beatrice Antoine can be reached at antoinbe@shu.edu.
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