‘You will persevere’: Miami University leaders offer advice to students

A diverse group of women took the stage at Wilkes Theater on Aug. 28 to discuss female health and safety tips to a crowd of roughly 40 people. The Phi Sigma Sigma sorority hosted the event, which featured eight Women’s Success & Safety panelists, all with ties to Miami University.

The panelists included leaders from the Miami Panhellenic Association (MPA), Associated Student Government (ASG), Miami Activities and Programming (MAP), Miami University Police Department (MUPD), the Office of the Dean of Students and the Title IX office.

Many of the panelists are current seniors at Miami, who offered advice from their own experiences. Claire Ogden, MPA president; Brie Anderson, Miami University Fashion and Design president; and Babs Dwyer, ASG vice president, are all seniors hoping to pass their wisdom to the next generation of students.

When asked about overcoming adversity as a woman Dwyer told the audience to “speak up for yourself,” and MAP President Rachel Banitt added “you deserve to take up space.”

Maddie Podsiadly, a junior psychology major, asked the panelists what they wished they had known before coming to college. The student leaders responded with advice about embracing failure and challenging yourself.

“Even as an adult, you still make mistakes,” said Cecilie D. McGhehey, the assistant dean of students and deputy Title IX coordinator.

The discussion then turned to the panelists’ college experiences and how they have shaped them today. Sergeant Tobergate from MUPD encouraged students to “find their passion.”

“If you can incorporate that into your career, it won't be like a job to you,” Tobergate said.

The panel also covered topics such as adversity and women’s safety. Miami offers programs including Safe Ride, which allows students to charter a bus at night and the Good Samaritan policy, which enables students to call for help for another student without consequences. The blue emergency lights around campus are also resources available for students who feel unsafe.

The panel then opened the floor to audience members for questions, during which one student asked how panelists dealt with failure and setbacks.

Anderson responded with “you will persevere” and Janiyah Brown, Miami Panhellenic Council vice president, echoed that with advice on never taking no for an answer.

At the end of the event, audience members were able to grab free self-care and harm-reduction items, including Narcan and fentanyl test strips.