February 2025 Student Spotlight

OMP Newsletter, February 3rd, 2025

Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson, a junior majoring in Civil Engineering, serves as the President of the Rho Tau Chapter at Valpo. He is also Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers, an Admissions Ambassador, and a general member of the Black Student Organization. As a first-generation student, Christian’s passion for community impact stems from his upbringing in Indianapolis, where he witnessed infrastructure challenges affecting families like his own. Although unsure of his exact career path, he is committed to using his degree to improve quality of life for underserved communities, especially children.

Since joining Kappa Alpha Psi nearly two years ago, Christian has gained invaluable leadership experience. He participated in the National Day of Reading Initiative, reading to elementary school children and promoting literacy, which earned recognition from the fraternity’s international headquarters. Additionally, he hosted the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference, which provides leadership training and personal development for undergraduate members. His contributions were further recognized when he received the Outstanding Fraternity Emerging Leader Award at Valpo’s Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards.

Looking ahead, Christian hopes to strengthen Kappa Alpha Psi’s presence at Valpo by fostering leadership within the chapter and increasing collaboration with other organizations. He believes teamwork and communication are key skills he has gained, which will benefit him both within the fraternity and in his future career. The fraternity is currently finalizing its meeting schedule but has several upcoming events, including a Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser, a Stroll Event with Sigma Lambda Gamma, and an NPHC 101 Panel Discussion.

Christian emphasizes that exposure and education are crucial to further elevating Kappa Alpha Psi at Valpo. Despite its growing presence, many students remain unfamiliar with the fraternity, the Divine Nine, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Increasing awareness through outreach and programming will strengthen the fraternity’s impact. Through his leadership, Christian is ensuring that Kappa Alpha Psi continues its legacy of excellence, service, and empowerment for future generations at Valpo.

OMP Newsletter, February 10th, 2025

Angel Johnson

Angel Johnson is a junior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Social Work. As a first-generation student, she has been actively involved in the Black Student Organization (BSO) for the past two years and is also a member of the Pre-Law Society. Angel aspires to become a law librarian in the future and is eager to engage with more student organizations on campus, whether through collaboration or attending meetings. She believes that getting involved is key to making meaningful connections and hopes to make the Dean’s List again this semester. For Angel, community is about shared experiences and identities. While Valpo’s community is diverse, she appreciates the opportunity it provides to learn and interact with people from different backgrounds. She believes that fostering a stronger sense of community starts with simple actions; engaging in conversation with those around you. One of her favorite spaces on campus is the Brave Space in Loke Hall, which she finds especially welcoming and comfortable. Looking ahead, Angel is most excited for end-of-year events like the Gala, which celebrate student achievements and bring the community together. Her advice to freshmen is to get involved early a nd bring friends to events to make the most of their college experience.

Tquan Spencer

Tquan Spencer is a freshman nursing major at Valparaiso University, actively involved on campus as a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team and serving as Secretary of the Black Student Organization (BSO). His future goal is to become a registered nurse, gain valuable experience in the field, and potentially pursue graduate school. Being part of BSO has provided Tquan with leadership experience, allowing him to take on an authoritative role and work alongside others in coordinating and guiding the organization. He hopes to see BSO grow in membership, envisioning a future where 20-30 active members regularly attend meetings. Since joining, he has gained teamwork and time management skills, which he believes will benefit him in both academics and his future career. To further elevate BSO, Tquan suggests expanding the E-Board, which would bring more perspectives to the leadership team and make it easier to increase student engagement and attendance. His dedication and vision for the organization reflect his commitment to fostering a stronger and more connected community at Valpo.

OMP Newsletter, February 17th, 2025

Kenney Steve

Looking ahead, Kenney hopes to become more involved with BSO and encourage others to engage in the community. Academically, he is focused on maintaining high B’s and A’s in his classes, while he is working towards saving enough money to buy a car by next year. He believes that taking an active role on campus will help him grow both professionally and personally. For Kenney, community means people from different backgrounds coming together to support one another. He feels that Valpo can do more to foster stronger connections among students by increasing recognition and support for Black students, especially during Black History Month. He hopes to see more events and initiatives that celebrate and uplift diverse voices on campus.

Kenney Steve is a social work major and a proud first-generation college student who is deeply involved in the Black Student Organization (BSO). He is passionate about building community and making a positive impact, both through his music and his future career as a social worker helping children in difficult situations.

Loke Hall has been a place of comfort for Kenney, where he feels a strong sense of belonging. The varied welcoming environments make him feel like home. Some of his favorite events include BSO’s movie nights, which provide great opportunities to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. Kenney’s advice to fellow students, especially freshmen, is to step out of their comfort zones. He encourages them to explore campus, attend events, and make the most of their college experience. “Go to Loke, don’t stay in your dorm all day; live your life, do what makes you happy, and never let anyone kill your vibe.”

OMP Newsletter, February 24th, 2025

Daniela Martinez

Daniela Martinez is a freshman majoring in Social Work. She is actively involved in Smart Connections and L.I.V.E., finding ways to engage with the campus community. As a first-generation student, she is determined to make the most of her college experience and hopes to gain more confidence in both her academic and personal life. Looking ahead, Daniela aims to improve or maintain her GPA while working on self-confidence, both in herself and her abilities. She hopes to get more involved on campus as she becomes more comfortable balancing her responsibilities. For her, community means people coming together through shared experiences, while solidarity is about uplifting and supporting one another during challenging times. Daniela found a sense of belonging at Valpo through L.I.V.E., where she formed meaningful friendships and connected with others who understood her journey. She appreciates the welcoming atmosphere of Loke Hall, where students can study, relax, and enjoy the support of the OMP staff. Some of her favorite events include the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and the Lunar New Year event hosted by APPIC. She is especially excited for the upcoming Slam Poetry event hosted by BSO on February 26th. Her advice to incoming students is to explore different organizations on campus and get involved early. She also emphasizes the importance of time management to balance academics and extracurricular activities successfully.

Ashley Sotelo

Ashley Sotelo is a freshman double majoring in Criminology and Psychology. As a first-generation student, she is actively making the most of her college experience. She has been involved in Ultimate Frisbee and is currently a member of L.I.V.E. In the future, she aspires to become a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) or potentially work for the FBI.Looking ahead, Ashley plans to deepen her involvement on campus by joining Greek life—having recently become a member of Kappa Delta. She also hopes to return to dancing by joining Soul of Sol and get involved in clubs related to her majors, such as the Crime and Psychology clubs. Academically, Ashley is committed to staying on top of her coursework and maintaining her ideal grades. Personally, she aims to meet more people and explore downtown Valparaiso, trying out different restaurants and coffee shops. To her, community means people coming together and staying connected, whether through residence halls, clubs, or shared academic interests. She believes that fostering stronger connections among students happens naturally through shared experiences and engagement in campus organizations. Ashley feels that Valpo could better advocate for student involvement in OMP organizations, as they provide meaningful cultural recognition and community spaces. She loves the welcoming environment of both OMP and Loke Hall, appreciating how the space feels like home with areas to study, relax, and even cook in the community kitchen.One of her favorite events so far has been Night at the Plaza, where she bonded with past L.I.V.E. members in a space that truly allowed her to be herself. She admired the dedication that went into planning the event and appreciated how it brought people together. Her advice to incoming students is simple but important: Do not be scared! She recalls feeling nervous at the start of her freshman year, unsure if she would fit in. However, she quickly realized that Valpo has a place for everyone. Getting involved helped her meet new people, and she encourages others to do the same; it makes all the difference in creating a fulfilling college experience.