Senior marketing major Ella Sharp, a participant in this fall’s ISU in Conversation Series, is using her voice to help fellow students find community and be heard.

Launched by Illinois State University’s Office of Equity and Inclusion during the fall semester, the ISU in Conversation Series provides faculty, staff, and students a chance to engage in open forum discussions about important campus topics, while sharing their concerns and ideas with one another and university leadership.

Hosted by Interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Byron Craig, fall topics included LGBTQIA2S+, campus belonging and safety, and pre- and post-election conversations.

“This program serves as a good way to connect high-level faculty like Dr. Craig with students so their concerns can be heard by people who can make truly actionable change and to build student connections with faculty,” Sharp said.

Sharp is in her third year as the resident assistant (RA) for the Rainbow Floor in Manchester Hall, a Themed Living-Learning Community designed for students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community along with those who identify as allies. She participated in the LGBTQIA2S+ conversation session because of her personal engagement with the topic.

“I hope that being a part of these conversations helps to consistently improve LGBTQ+ student safety,” Sharp said. “I want to do my best to advocate for the residents on my floor and others in these conversations.”

Craig, one of the first faculty advisors for the Rainbow Floor when it began in 2021, said he is thankful for Sharp’s participation in the ISU in Conversation Series.

“She’s very honest,” Craig said. “She tells me what she feels and what she sees, and then I take that information back to the appropriate people.”

Following the fall series, Craig and Sharp remain in touch.

“I love working with Ella because she talks about these issues in a way that’s smart, productive and that shows a lot of concern for the student body,” Craig said. “Her concern is for all students, to make sure this is a good environment and that students feel like they belong here.”

Sharp said she encourages students to find community by getting involved on campus.

“I always recommend participating in an RSO that you’re passionate about because the people in there are likely passionate as well,” Sharp said.

Along with her role as an RA, Sharp is president of the Student Leadership Advisory Board (SLAB), where she oversees 22 College of Business student organizations. She has held multiple leadership roles in Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, and she was the equity, diversity, and inclusion coordinator for Business Week.

Sharp also helps broadcast Illinois State Athletics events as a member of the Redbird Productions crew, and she recently joined the Student Government Association (SGA) as the Hewett-Manchester senator and secretary of the assembly.

“Change really starts with students,” Sharp said. “You have to be willing to get involved—reach out to people you look up to at the University—your RA, a professor, or a friend.”

Sharp said the University is a place where diverse thoughts and dialogue are welcome, and the ISU in Conversation Series, which will continue during the spring semester, provides a space for students to make their voices heard.

“These conversations are to converse rather than to debate,” Sharp said. “I think approaching it with the mindset of just asking questions and offering your perspective is a great way to go about it.”