Abby St. Martin, from Putnam, CT, is a senior majoring in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. Abby is a captain of the Women’s Basketball Team, Presidential Student Ambassador, member of the 2025 Class Committee, Vice President of the Public Health Club, and former Orientation Leader. She is also a participant in the Athlete Mentor Program, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Honors Program, and an alum of a study abroad program.
Abby St. Martin
How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus? I first got involved with campus life by going to the Club Kickoff outside the Student Center. This gave me the opportunity to explore all the different areas in which I could get involved. Having the chance to talk to current students allowed me to ask questions and find my passion. If you haven’t found your “people/place” on campus, continue to join other clubs or organizations because you never know where your passion lies until you try it.
How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change? Being heavily involved as a leader on campus allowed me to grow in many different aspects. Through being a captain of the basketball team, I learned how to better communicate and work as a team. As an Orientation Leader, I grew my public speaking skills and collaborated with many different students. These are just a few examples of how my leadership grew throughout my time at WSU. Collaborating with my peers and team leaders significantly shaped my leadership style by teaching me the value of active listening, open communication, and diverse perspectives. Through teamwork and mentorship, I learned to delegate effectively, adapt to changes, and foster a positive, inclusive environment. These experiences helped me develop a more empathetic and collaborative leadership approach.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership? The biggest lesson I have learned when it comes to leadership is the importance of adaptability and active listening. Being open to feedback and different perspectives has helped me make more informed decisions and better support my team/organizations/clubs. I’ve realized that effective leadership is not just about guiding others but also about fostering collaboration and continuous learning.
What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU? It is hard for me to pick a singular experience at WSU. I have found that one experience has led me to another experience that I have taken the opportunity to be a part of. Coming in as a freshman playing basketball was the beginning of my entire involvement at WSU. Having teammates and coaches encouraging me to try new opportunities gave me the confidence to join other leadership positions on campus.
What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become? My advice to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader they hope to become is that you have to be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and try new experiences. Take every opportunity as a way to explore how you want to collaborate with others, listen to diverse perspectives, and learn from successes and failures/challenges. However, it is important to lead how you feel most comfortable and be authentic to yourself. Everyone leads differently so do not compare.
What are your current plans for the next few years? After graduation in May, I intend to go to another university for an accelerated nursing program which takes about 16 months to complete. After completing that I plan on becoming a travel nurse and begin my healthcare journey!
