Advocate for engagement

Imagine having the task of fostering engagement among students during a global pandemic and a derecho storm that shut down campus and caused historic damage on the Hill. 

That’s exactly what Emma Lantz ’22 was facing during her tenure as Student Government Association President. Add to that the national unrest surrounding the death of George Floyd in May of 2020, and Emma presided as a student leader during one of the most unique and turbulent periods in the history of Mount Mercy University. 

“The way it impacted me was actually seeing it through the lens of other students and advocating for them,” Emma said. “Being able to listen to them and understand what they need. I got to really focus on other people and what they needed at that time.” 

It was an experience that shaped not only her Mount Mercy experience, but her career path as well. Emma is the 2024 recipient of Mount Mercy’s Certificate of Merit alumni award.  

A Cedar Rapids native, she initially arrived at Mount Mercy with the intent of getting into social work. 

“It was close to home and it just felt comfortable when I visited,” Emma said. “It just felt right.” 

The March for Our Lives campaign in 2018, focused on ending gun violence in the United States, impacted her decision to switch majors to criminal justice and psychology. Emma saw during her college experience that students have a voice, which was a position she would advocate during her tenure as Student Government Association President. 

“I think helping students get involved is important because it creates a holistic college experience,” Emma said. “Students are powerful and they have this drive for change. Some students don’t know it until they get involved and have another experience where it changes their perspective or they get an internship and it changes the direction of where they want to go in life. There’s just so much attached to getting involved and getting engaged.” 

Emma is grateful for the individuals who impacted her engaged experience at Mount Mercy, mentioning among others, classmates Tiara Munoz, Fernanda Hermosillo Arrieta, Dre Lopez Delgado, and Jada Veasey; psychology faculty Dr. Jaclynn Sullivan and Dr. Matthew Bejar; plus, staff members Dr. Danielle Rudd, Dr. Nate Klein, Keesha Burke-Henderson, and Victor Rocha. She especially noted Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Dr. Charles R. Martin-Stanley II as a major influence. 

“He really gave his time to create an environment at Mount Mercy where students come first,” Emma said. “That really transcended how I work and how I want to live my life and my values.” 

After graduation, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Emma decided on a role with a focus on student engagement. She was hired as a Program Coordinator for Student Engagement at Illinois College in Springfield, Illinois, before later transitioning to Assistant Director for Student Engagement. In that position, she had the task of helping students get engaged with various opportunities on campus. 

“Students should get involved because it makes them a more well-rounded human who is prepared to take on this world, become a citizen of tomorrow, and impact the world the way it’s needed,” she said. 

"Students should get involved because it makes them a more well-rounded human who is prepared to take on this world, become a citizen of tomorrow, and impact the world the way it’s needed." —Emma Lantz '22

Part of her duties included overseeing Greek Life, where Emma introduced training to students focused on bias, mental health, building resumes, and instruction on how to adequately run student organizations. She worked with the International Student Organization to bring a Multicultural Fair to Illinois College, celebrating cultures from across the world. She also brought back the Student Organization Awards, which acknowledged the work and accomplishments of student groups.  

In May of 2024, Emma took the next step in her career journey when she stepped down from her position at Illinois College to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Illinois Springfield. She accepted a position as a graduate assistant at the Center for State Policy and Leadership, helping to research proposed bills and legislation for the Illinois legislature, while at the same time, pursuing a master’s degree in public policy. 

“I know I want to work with people that are fighting to make a difference in our world,” Emma said. “That’s what I hope to gain from my master’s program.” 

As she continues on her professional path, Emma is grateful for her experiences at Mount Mercy, which she said has helped lead to real world success. Not surprisingly, she encourages today’s students to be active and involved. 

“You never know the people you’ll meet and what you’ll be able to accomplish, and I think that’s an integral part of the college experience,” she said. “My second piece of advice would be to advocate for yourself. Students and individuals are powerful, and your experiences are your truth. So, what I would tell students is to never be afraid of speaking up and telling admins or staff or faculty what they need to know and how you can be supported, because often times they will figure it out and find ways to support you.”