When I think back to my time as a Stover Scholar at Waynesburg University, the word that comes to mind is transformation. I came into the program as a freshman Early Childhood Education major—wide-eyed, eager and a little unsure of what I was walking into. I was certainly not planning on The Stover Program to become one of the most defining parts of my college experience.
From the first day, the program pushed me to think more deeply than I ever had before. We were not just looking at the U.S. Constitution or Supreme Court cases; we were being asked to apply the principles to today’s world—and to our own lives. Through lectures, discussions and meetings with remarkable individuals, I was challenged to question how Christian ethics and moral leadership interact with real-world issues. I was put in situations I never thought I’d be in: public speaking, the Constitution Day plays and engaging in meaningful conversations with people from all areas of life. These experiences gave me a glimpse into how the world works—and more importantly, how I might contribute to making change.
What I learned most, though, wasn’t just about government or law, and, to be frank, I did not have a passion for either until I joined this program. But what I did learn about was integrity. The Stover Program taught me how to stay grounded in my values while still listening to and respecting others. It taught me the importance of grace, especially in leadership. In a world that often rushes to speak, the program taught me how to listen—and how to communicate in a way that reflects both strength and humility.
Today, I’m still at Waynesburg University, but now I serve as an Admissions Counselor, helping guide the next generation of prospective students as they begin their own journeys. While working full-time, I’m also pursuing my master of education degree in Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Design. It’s a busy life, but one I’m grateful for. The foundation I built during my time in the Stover Program continues to guide me every day—in how I lead, how I teach and how I carry myself.
The friendships I formed through the program will last a lifetime. These are people who challenge me, support me and remind me of the bigger picture. The Stover community isn’t just academic—it’s personal, and its influence lingers long after the lectures and luncheons are over.
If I had to sum up the program’s impact on my life, I would turn to the words of Alice Walker: “Look closely at the present you are constructing; it should look like the future you are dreaming.”
The Stover Program helped me see what kind of future I want—and gave me the tools, confidence and community to start building it.
About the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership
Waynesburg University's Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership is an interdisciplinary scholarly center dedicated to bringing insights from the U.S. Constitution's Founding Era and from Christianity to bear in the contemporary public square, with the ultimate goal of creatively transforming the ethical state of the polis.
About the Master of Education program
We believe in lifelong learning. An advanced education degree will help you make a more meaningful difference for all students, in the classroom and beyond.
