Alex Steffens is beginning his college career with focus and direction. He’s simply building on the foundation he set for himself as a student and volunteer in his hometown of Lincoln.

When Steffens, an incoming freshman, believes in a cause, he jumps right in to offer his support in the best way he can. That means volunteering his time and talents to the maximum. Look no further than the nearly 600 hours of community service he provided to various organizations during high school. That time he gave came with lasting dividends.

“These experiences taught me how to be a better man, a better leader, a better student, and a better member of my community,” he said. “Serving my community reinforced my compassion, empathy, teamwork, integrity, and the respect for others that was instilled in me throughout my childhood.”

He said that donating his time also unlocked a passion for civic engagement, which he plans to continue pursuing at Illinois State University over the years ahead. He also believes that the experiences he’s already had will be a boost for helping and advising the leaders of tomorrow to be inspired to step up and create a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Steffens has a specific outlet in mind for directing his community service on campus.

“I plan to push myself by extending my volunteerism in Bloomington-Normal and its surrounding regions through service opportunities supported by the Center for Civic Engagement at Illinois State.”

In addition to being active in the community, he also loves to play tennis and soccer with his friends, and he enjoys playing video games. Back home, he worked at Dairy Queen and was part of the production team at his local church. All these were enjoyable, just not as fulfilling as his extracurricular activities.

“Most of my fun was in clubs such as the Chester 4-H club, the environment club, student government, math club, the National Honor Society, and chess club,” he said.

He’ll be taking a similar approach in college.

“To get better connected, I plan to join multiple clubs that can help me grow as a young adult, in my education, and in my leadership,” he said. “I also plan to get involved with tennis and soccer clubs on campus. I also was lucky enough to get a spot in the Business Living Learning Community on the third floor of Hewett Hall.”

His living situation will put him in the company of similar-minded students, which is important, he said, because a “tree falls the way it leans.”

“It’s another way of saying that association matters,” Steffens said. “I’m an extrovert, and I think that the thing I’m most excited andthe most nervous for is meeting new people and starting new relationships that I hope will last a lifetime.” 

At only 18, he’s already devised a five-year plan for his college career. He plans to walk across the Illinois State commencement stage with a minor in Spanish, a double major in international business and supply chain management, and a master’s in business administration.

“I hope to one day use my education to become an international operations manager for a multinational company dealing in Spanish-speaking markets,” he said.

Steffens described his college search as a journey that involved exploring many options. Eventually, he narrowed his choices down to a couple of colleges, and Illinois State won out.

“ISU immediately gave me the smaller, tighter-knit community feeling that I knew I wanted,” Steffens said. “And it offered the international business major I was so passionate about pursuing.”

Steffens also liked the idea of going to a school that was close to home near friends and family. He said he always had plenty of support and direction from his parents, Jason and Beth, growing up.

“They were always encouraging me to do my best and taught me to hold myself to a high standard, but not to an impossible standard,” he said. “They taught me to never settle for less than what I am truly capable of. Their guidance and constant support have shaped me into who I am today, and I could not have made it to this point without them.”

As a recipient of the Jesse W. Fell Scholarship, the University’s most prestigious scholarship for incoming freshmen, Steffens appreciates the importance of the award.

“Knowing that Illinois State University believed in my potential motivates me to continue to push myself in my studies,” he said. “This scholarship is both a powerful source of pride and a reminder of what I am capable of.

“It was incredibly meaningful to me because it showed that my hard work and dedication throughout high school were being recognized. It not only eases the financial burden of pursuing my dreams but also gives me confidence that I am on the right path.”

Read about all of the students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.