Hastings-native Allison Kern ’13 rarely missed an HC Bronco Women’s Basketball game at Lynn Farrell Arena.

“It is funny to think about the way I used to idolize those college girls,” she said. “Now I am one of them, and I don’t feel nearly as cool as they seemed.”

Cool or not, Allison has established herself as a leader at Hastings College, serving as the 2012-2013 Student Association Vice President.

“I have been on Student Senate since my sophomore year, which is where my interest in student government began,” said the biology major and member of the HC Bronco Volleyball team. “I really enjoy being a part of the decisions made on campus, and I have learned a lot from working with other student leaders at Hastings College.”

Many of the leadership lessons Allison has learned she attributes to what she learned on the volleyball court.

“Volleyball is interesting in that so much of a team’s success is dependent on its ability to communicate. There aren’t a lot of sports that you come together after each point and celebrate or prepare for the next play. The experience I have gained communicating with teammates has played an important part in my role as Vice President.”

Early in the season, the starting right-side hitter learned another lesson on the court – that things do not always go as planned. During a match versus McPherson (Kan.) College, Allison suffered a career-ending knee injury. Despite the setback, she remained on the team, assisting as necessary as the team progressed through its very successful season.

Allison also had plenty to do off the court. In addition to classes, she works closely with SA President Kevin Wright ’13 to implement the goals they set last summer.

“It’s hard to pinpoint how much time I spend on Student Association . . . because it is sort of a state of mind,” she said. “Kevin and I are constantly texting each other with new ideas of events or plans. I don’t even notice the time because it’s something I enjoy doing.”

Kevin cites Allison’s organizational skills as key to their success as an SA Administration.

“Allison is very organized and good at keeping things on track,” he said.  “We work well together because of that.”

And they are meeting their goals. Their campaign platform included reinstating the Student Judiciary Council and pushing for renovations at Hazelrigg Student Union (HSU) – projects currently underway on campus.

“One thing that I learned from SA that I can apply to other areas of my life is to think BIG,” Allison said. “I am a painstakingly practical person, but I have discovered that many of the great leaders here at HC are in their positions because of their vision and their ability to dream.”