Liberal Arts student flourishes as college’s first change-of-campus lead mentor

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For Jasmin Tanner, the challenges of college life at Penn State became an opportunity for advocacy and community building through the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success.

Tanner started at Penn State Altoona before transferring to University Park as a second-year student. Eager to “let her wings fly,” she said she was unsure how to navigate the change on her own. And as a first-generation student, she added, she felt immense pressure.

“You’re not coming here just for education but to find success in something you’re passionate about,” said Tanner, now a fourth-year student majoring in global and international studies with a minor in world literature.

Tanner was attending the annual Liberal Arts Undergraduate Festival when she visited the Chaiken Center table. Drawn in by the center’s advocacy for first-generation and change-of-campus students, she said, she struck up a conversation with Director Patty Klug, who offered immediate support and encouragement.

“Once you come in, you never stop,” Klug told Tanner.

Indeed, the center became a second home for Tanner, whether she was studying in the lounge, building a space for collaboration or having one-on-one chats with its peer success coaches. To her, the Chaiken Center was more than just a place for resources, but a space where she could be authentically herself, build community and form long-lasting friendships outside of the classroom, she said.

The peer success coaches challenged her to reframe the stigmas surrounding general education courses, helping her to see them as opportunities rather than obligations. She specifically recalled the emphasis on “curating classes to your interests” and seeing them as “a chance to explore something you’re interested in.”

Tanner used this guidance to build a course schedule that reflected her passions for humanitarian crises and policy issues accompanying her minor in world literature. She said she views her studies as a pathway to uplift society.

“Your education matters, and is a bridge to creating growth and change in the future,” she said.

As a first-generation student, Tanner said, she quickly realized that if she was going to achieve success in any form, she needed to understand the importance of speaking up for her own needs. Without guidance from others, she learned to request and secure accommodations that have allowed her to thrive academically.

Klug recognized Tanner’s drive, and together they created the “change-of-campus lead mentor” role at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center. In this position, Tanner has been given the opportunity to  build the initial framework and foundation of the position and work to develop the mentorship, support and resources. She advocates for more resources on behalf of her peers to ensure other first-gen and change-of-campus students aren’t left to navigate campus alone.

Today, Tanner said her proudest accomplishment is being able to provide students with the advice and resources she didn't have when she first came to the University Park campus, and to “use challenges as your greatest tool” for personal growth and academic success.

“Through my work, I want students to remember three important things: remember the importance of true authenticity and self advocacy, never give up and persevere through adversity," she said.

Looking ahead, Tanner said she aspires to move abroad, pursue a profession in foreign and public policy alongside continuing her passion for writing and publishing her first novel. Her ultimate goal is bringing change, equality, safety and hope to communities across the globe.

Tanner said that if she could sum up her college experience in a few words, they would be "prosperous," because she flourished and transformed challenges into success; "fulfilling," because she found purpose in uplifting her peers and community; and “growing,” because she transformed challenges into opportunities.

Liberal Arts change-of-campus students who are interested in meeting with Tanner can schedule an appointment in Starfish or visit the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center in 139 Sparks Building for Tanner’s drop-in hours: Mondays 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays 5 to 7 p.m., and Wednesdays 1 to 3 p.m.