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During the summer, many students choose to participate in internship opportunities and work incredible job experiences, advancing knowledge and experience in their desired career.

One of those zealous students was sophomore Shannon Brown, Honors College student and double major.

The Honors Leadership Academy alumnae partook in a competitive job application and eventually landed the roles of human resources intern and leader of the internship program at Elliott Group. She contributed her talent and intellect to the over-100-year-old international company located in Jeanette, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh.

Whether it came to organizing ice-breaker sessions, improving the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement or writing job descriptions, Shannon continuously prioritized taking initiative and putting her leadership skills to use.

She expressed pride in her initiatives for DEI especially as someone who is very passionate about equitable opportunity. Shannon described her gratitude while gearing the company toward a more progressive agenda.

“When human resources came to me asking for my insight as a person of the younger generation, it meant a lot to me,” she said.

Shannon presented to multiple higher-ups within the company, including the CEO, on a plethora of topics. She focused on emphasizing the importance of gender-inclusive restrooms and explaining why she believes paternity leave should be available for male employees.

As many of the interns worked out-of-state, Shannon utilized her leadership skills and knowledge obtained from the �鶹ӰԺ State Peer Leader Training course, entitled Peer Experiential Education and Reflection (P.E.E.R.), to find affable means in incorporating each individual during their online meetings.

“It really connected us,” she said. “We were able to bounce ideas off of each other with comparability.”

Shannon credited a part of her passion for equity stemming from her Freshman Honors Colloquium course with professor Dr. Lauren Vogel, which centered on the topic of equality.

“That course helped broaden myself as an individual,” she said. “I got to explore a lot of research on my own, which helped in my internship.”

Shannon also reflected on her gratitude for a friend at home who “pushed her out of her shell” to advocate for equal opportunity. The two went on to co-create a social justice club at their high school.

While double majoring in peace and conflict studies and psychology and pursuing a minor in disability studies and community inclusion, Shannon prioritizes her academics, but consistently maintains connections with multiple groups on campus. 

Last year, she participated in HLA along with �鶹ӰԺ Interhall Council as the director of business operations. Now, Shannon is a hearing officer at the Office of Student Conduct, an associate of Undergraduate Student Government as the senator for the Honors College, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and works as a resident assistant.

After her graduation, Shannon hopes to become an ombud.

“I want to help with legislation regarding disabilities and [advocate] for ADA accessibility on campuses,” she said. “I just think it's really important for buildings and public institutions to be accessible for our students.”

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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Honors College student Shannon Brown is pictured outdoors standing beside the Honors College sign.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Shannon poses near the Honors College during the Fall 2023 Ice Cream Social.

Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312