Being a leader sometimes means making tough decision. The best leaders make those decisions and maintain the respect of others without asking for it. Morgan Rusler’s nominator saw that in her and thought it deserving of BEST Board recognition.
“Morgan Rusler has given her all during her years involved in the FSL Community. She has been willing to serve in positions that force her to make unpopular decisions and to hold others accountable for their actions. She has handled this extremely well and, miraculously, maintains a significant level of respect among her peers,” her nominator stated. “She has not sought out recognition for her accomplishments and contributions, and this honor would be very befitting of her during her last semester at MSU. Morgan has been an exemplary student leader, and there aren’t many I would consider as deserving of this honor as she is.”
Name: Morgan Rusler
Hometown: Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
Major: Nursing
Graduation Date: December 2023
Campus Involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Sigma Theta Tau, GSA
How has campus involvement and/or campus employment enhanced YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE?
By joining FSL I stayed at MSU, I had a bad first-semester experience due to roommate issues. After joining my chapter I truly found a home. I have always been an outgoing type of person but my experiences in leadership roles have helped me grow even more and project myself in a more professional manner than before. These experiences have opened so many doors for me and I have met and worked with amazing people because of it. I never imagined I would be where I am now and I have loved all the memories I have here.
How has campus involvement and/or campus employment enhanced YOUR FUTURE?
I have been able to form relationships with people who are outside of my peer group and that have roles on campus. This has helped me learn how to better expand my network and work with more people. While working with others has never been an issue for me, I have become really good at working with others to quickly solve problems on the fly. I have learned how to better advocate for myself and I know when I start working as a nurse I can use these skills to advocate not only for myself but for my patients as well. I have had to overcome a lot and every step I have had people doubting me. Each time I proved others wrong I saw how I had grown and gained new skills.
How has campus involvement/campus employment enhanced YOUR LIFE? How are you different today than you were on your first day of college.
I am much more confident in my abilities and knowing my worth. I am an even harder worker, more driven, and dedicated. I did not know I would gain this much from my experiences, but I have become a much stronger leader and overall a much better person.
Provide one or more detailed examples where your campus involvement/work experience made you a better leader.
In nursing school we do a disaster drill, I stepped up as 1 of 3 students to be a lead coordinating role during the mass casualty simulation. I used what skills I had gained to help organize, direct, and help my team to perform at our best under high-stress situations. I have also used my skills in my job at a nursing home. When we were really short-staffed one night it was me, a girl on her second day of training, and one agency aid. The CNA who was supposed to train the new girl called in because it was short-staffed. There were the 3 of us and 38 residents, this is one of the least ideal situations to be in. I took a second to see what they were comfortable with and instead of doing the groupings for care like they tend to do on our long-term unit, I suggested we do it like on our short-term unit. This meant we would help each other as aids to provide the care our residents needed and no one was assigned just one set of residents we were everyone’s aid that night. This went really well and I think my ability to think fast when a problem comes up and being able to make suggestions and guide those I am working with really helped me do this.
What advice would you share with fellow students in helping them make the most of their college experience?
It’s better to take the chance and try something than do nothing. I would have so many regrets if I had not taken the chances I did and I would not have had a good college experience if I had not. You never know you might surprise yourself and love something you thought you wouldn’t. It is better to try and say it’s not for me because then you know you didn’t miss an opportunity that could change your life.
Throughout your college experience at Minnesota State Mankato, what has provided the greatest personal growth, memories, satisfaction and/or personal pride.
Fraternity and Sorority Life. This has changed my life significantly and I am so grateful for all the leadership opportunities and lifelong friendships I have. I can’t say enough how much my sorority and the FSL community have helped me and given me the best college experience.
Share a special “lifelong” memory of college you will take with you when you leave Minnesota State Mankato.
Having advisors, professors, and other faculty/staff tell me that I have shown there is nothing I can’t accomplish and how proud they are of my growth and the leader I have become.
