Trend has shown that students who find their intrinsic value in their relationship with their campus often rise to leadership opportunities, and even manage to adapt to roles that demand different leadership style and obligations. Kayla Lott, the newly elected 2011-12 president of the graduate and part-time student council (GPSC

Lott earned her B.S. in science and technology with concentration in mathematics on May 2011; and wasting no time, she is now pursuing a one year M.A. completion in instruction and curriculum with the Nathan Weiss Graduate College of Kean University.

Lott joins her new position with student government with an already existing repertoire of student leadership qualifications -- some of which was earned serving on the student government executive during her undergraduate years. Lott served not only a class representative, but stepped up to the plate her senior year to hold the position of assistant secretary on the executive board.

Of all the Kean University opportunities Lott has seized, two resonate with her the most: her role as a resident assistant and her relationship with the Exceptional Education Opportunity (EEO) program. By the time Lott earned her undergraduate degree, the spunky leader had stacked three years of experience as a resident assistant under her belt. As a resident assistant, Lott acquired and applied skills of crisis intervention, student affairs services, effective programming, and time management.

"As a resident assistant, I got to meet so many people -- both students and staff -- that have helped me grow into the person I am today," states Lott. "My residents, fellow RAs and administrative staff made my undergraduate years worthwhile."

Having the first-hand experience of being an EEO student, Lott has both an appreciation for the program and the people within it. During her undergraduate years, Lott undertook the role of a peer ambassador for incoming EEO freshman students. In their most crucial transition, the students sought the guidance of Lott to ensure success. "I had the opportunity to see those students grown into beautiful, respectable, hard working adults," boasts Lott, proudly.

Yet another role occupied by Lott during her undergraduate years was that of vice-president of public relations with Greek senate. Here, Lott used her engaging personality and skills in promotion to better the senate's branding and presence within the campus. Lott is a proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Prior to running with The Educated Action Movement – TEAM – during the 2011 student government elections, Lott had established her role as committed and involved student; though, that path did not occur all at once.

"I would like students to know that I am a product of Kean University," shares Lott. "When I came here, I had no direction -- I just knew that I had to come to college…I challenge every student to get involved, network, and become a part of a cause that is bigger than [themselves]."