Student Emily Roper uses her leadership program experience to help others

Through her coursework, TWU speech-language pathology master’s student Emily Roper is learning the importance of diagnosing and treating people with speech-language disorders. But through her experience with the Center for Student Leadership as an undergraduate student, she learned how to listen to and lead others.

Originally from Waxahachie, Texas, Roper was attracted to TWU based on its ideal size, affordability and inspiring architecture and landscape. She chose her undergraduate major (communication sciences and disorders ‘19) and her graduate major (speech-language pathology) because she loved both the health and teaching fields.

“Speech-language pathology is the perfect blend of the two fields,” she said. “I am very passionate about providing students with strategies to improve their communication and voices.”

Roper found her own voice through her participation with the Center for Student Leadership, where she received training in economic security, health and wellness and leadership. She also was able to attend national leadership conferences such as LeaderShape and the Omicron Delta Kappa Conclave, participate in several service projects, receive mentorship from the center staff and gain work experience.

“The Center for Student Leadership program was the best decision I made during my time as an undergraduate student at TWU,” she said. “The experience molded me into a confident, well-spoken leader on campus, and the staff supported me through the hardest and the best times of my undergraduate degree.”

Roper also served as the TWU student regent, appointed by the governor of Texas, and as president of the TWU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society.

“It was an honor to serve as president of ODK,” she said. “I found my voice during my time as president and learned how to conduct a meeting. I loved getting the chance to bond and get to know the students within the center as well. During my year, we paid special attention to their feedback in order to make our meetings/retreats better each time. We constantly had a focus to continue improving our programming and organization each and every week.”

After graduation, Roper wants to work in a hospital before transitioning into a school system, where her experience with the Center for Student Leadership will be invaluable. She remains grateful for the lessons she will take with her.

“Every experience you have within the program is impactful and life changing, and I never felt that there was a moment wasted,” she said. “I am so grateful that I was able to participate in such an incredible program.”