06/26/2025
MOUNT SUMMER SERIES Keithleen Fernandez
As I reflect on my time at Mount Saint Mary’s University, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have shaped my growth as both a leader and an advocate. Through my involvement in Women’s Leadership and my service as a Student Government senator, with the help of my peers we were able to launch the Visionary Ventures speaker series that welcomed leaders from companies such as ILIA Beauty with Founder Sasha Plavsic and our alumna Stephanie P., Skechers with Giselle Ramírez, and AEG with Ashley Beach. These conversations offered powerful insights into how effective leadership can shape both personal and professional success.
I took part in every leadership summit offered and was honored to be flown to Washington, D.C., to attend the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) Women in Global Policy conference. That experience allowed me to expand my network and gain a deeper understanding of public leadership on a national scale.
With the support of Ashley J., who generously shared valuable resources, I secured an internship with Harvard Law School and AFSCME. I had the privilege of meeting Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. In our conversation, I shared the important work being done at Mount Saint Mary’s and emphasized the need for students to have access to financial support, not only to pursue their education but also to be fairly compensated for the leadership and service they contribute to the campus community.
None of these opportunities would have been possible without the mentorship and unwavering support of Dr. Ashley Joseph, Director of Women’s Leadership, and Linda McMurdock, Vice President for Student Affairs. Their resilient, student-centered leadership has left a lasting impact on me. They’ve shown me the importance of transparency, the strength of advocacy, and the power of using my voice to drive meaningful change.
