Meet Caroline McInnish, a Virginia Tech student majoring in Public Health who currently serves as an At-Large Senator in the Undergraduate Student Senate, after beginning her involvement as an LLC Representative Senator. She was inspired to join the Senate to represent students in or exploring recovery and to help shape university policies that promote holistic well-being across the student body. Caroline values the opportunity to bring undergraduate perspectives into high-level conversations, especially in spaces where student voices are often underrepresented. During her time in the Senate, she contributed to a successful proposal to reinstate Pathway 7: Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States, which was approved by the Committee of Undergraduate Studies and Policies and continues through shared governance. Looking ahead, she hopes to collaborate with Student Affairs to implement trauma-informed housing policies that better support underserved populations. She stays connected with students through active involvement in The Roost, the recovery community lounge in Payne Hall, as well as through meetings and outreach events. Caroline defines leadership as facilitating and coordinating teams with intention, balancing student needs with administrative realities to create actionable solutions. One of her most memorable experiences was serving as a panelist at the ACC Symposium in February 2026, where she shared her leadership journey with representatives from universities across the country. Known for her strength as an “Activator,” she excels at turning ideas into action and values collaboration early in the process. She integrates her Senate work with her academic pursuits, using her housing policy project as a foundation for her senior practicum and future plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration. Caroline emphasizes that the Senate creates real, meaningful change on campus, even if much of its work happens behind the scenes, and she encourages students to engage intentionally to make the most of their experience. Guided by Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), she remains committed to serving others in both her academic and professional life.