SXU Student Aine Kelly Named Student Laureate
Saint Xavier University (SXU) communication sciences and disorders major Aine Kelly has been recognized as a Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Kelly, who is also pursuing a minor in psychology, feels grateful to represent SXU and believes she embodies the characteristics of compassion and resilience.
"Becoming a Student Laureate is such an honor and is very meaningful to me. I grew up in the community around SXU and remember being young and taking walks around the lake and feeding the geese. Being able to serve the SXU community, both on and off campus, has been extremely rewarding. I love the fact that I can continue to give back to the community that shaped who I am while learning and growing at SXU," said Kelly.
To Kelly, civic engagement means taking the time to learn various perspectives of others in the community.
"Civic engagement means not only completing service opportunities but using those opportunities to learn from those in need. Civic engagement goes beyond service events and requires people to actively learn about their communities' needs and perpetuate service," said Kelly.
Kelly appreciates Saint Xavier's Mercy mission and finds it inspiring.
"To me, the SXU mission embodies the belief to serve others in all aspects of life and to constantly seek new opportunities to learn. The SXU mission encourages us as students to look for ways we can make a difference and improve our communities," said Kelly.
Kelly believes her time at SXU is preparing her with a well-rounded education.
"I have truly appreciated the opportunity to explore my interests in speech-language pathology while taking classes such as philosophy that continue to expand my perspective on various issues. SXU has given me hands-on experiences through observation hours, and eventually a clinical placement on campus, which has helped my confidence as a student and future clinician. Student Life and the Schmitt Scholars Program at SXU have both helped me develop my sense of leadership and mission as a student and individual," said Kelly.
In addition to academic involvement, Kelly is a student ambassador and resident assistant and also serves as president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
In the future, Kelly plans to continue her education by earning a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
"I hope to work with head and neck cancer patients to rehabilitate swallowing after treatments. I also hope to continue service as a member of the Oak Lawn Lions Club and through Special Olympics."