The year 2016 marks junior Tahjane Whitsett's third consecutive year serving on her class's executive board.
As a freshman and sophomore, she served as vice president and president, respectively. In the spring of 2016, Whitsett was elected as junior class president.
Whitsett, junior business management major with a minor in computer science, is projected to graduate in May of 2018. In her free time, she enjoys computer programming, making websites, taking pictures and traveling.
From Colonia, N.J., she resides on campus during the semester to help balance her busy class schedule and campus involvement.
"On campus I'm an EOF student, so I do a lot of things with them," Whitsett said, "I also volunteer a lot through the [Center for Leadership and Service] CLS, so I'm trying to get involved in more clubs and group; get to know more people."
Whitsett is also involved off campus as an enrolled participant through an internship company that finds Fortune 500 internships. She also volunteers with Black Girls Code. Black Girls Code introduces computer programming to girls at a young age.
After college, she dreams of becoming a business analyst for a Fortune 500 company and opening her own business. She dreams of opening a business that would help underprivileged kids go to college, get internships and provide for them the proper tools to prepare for college and a career.
Whitsett enjoys her position as Junior Class President, as she loves being a part of the Kean University community, and being able to implement change to make a difference. She feels that this role is a good way to have her voice heard and to also have other student's voices heard.
Right now, one of her biggest projects as President is improving advisement.
"I know, for me, sometimes I have trouble picking my classes and I want to make sure all students don't have to encounter this problem," Whitsett said.
She is also very inspired by the people she encounters on a daily basis.
"Whether it be like good things or bad things, I take it all in and I just use it to make myself become a better person," Whitsett said. "And I think everything just inspires me, mostly my mom."
Since Whitsett enjoys everything she is doing, balancing a busy schedule does not really come as a problem to her. By utilizing a calendar and agenda, she stays on top of all of her homework, meetings, community service and other tasks that occupy her time.
Her most memorable experience at Kean University thus far was during her freshman year, on the night she was elected as Freshman Class Vice President.
"In high school, I was kind of shy and I said when I get to college I want to branch out, get to know people," Whitsett said. "So when that happened I was like 'wow, people are actually listening and paying attention and I'm not being a little shy kid anymore. I'm Vice President of my class; that's pretty cool.'"
Many of her co-members on the Junior Class Executive Board are individuals she has known since taking a pre-freshman course at Kean University.
"They're great, they always have my back no matter what and if I need something I call them up," Whitsett said. "We've been friends before here so it makes it even better. They're very driven too."
Her experience at Kean University has been a positive and educational one. From the classes and involvement to simply the people around her, she has been able to take it all in and learn a lot.
"I would say here at Kean [University], you get to encounter so many different people and learn from their experiences and they also help you along the way," Whitsett said.
Whitsett feels that Kean University offers its students so many opportunities, whereas other schools just want students to graduate and do not offer them the same opportunities.
Whitsett chose to attend Kean University after encouragement from her dad, who is a Kean University alumni.
"He was kind of like, 'oh if you go to Kean, it's a family legacy'," Whitsett said.
Once she came to Kean University, she fell in love with the campus. She never attended an open house, but instead just applied.
"Now I'm here like, 'it's amazing,'" Whitsett said. "The scenery, the classes, the new buildings -- they're so cool. You go to a lot of other campuses and their facilities are terrible."
Throughout Tahjane Whitsett's experience at Kean University, she's learned valuable skills to carry with her into the future. Through her involvement within the Kean community, as well as her own community, she is on a mission to make a difference.
