For Elsie Bennett ’26, caring for others is second nature.
“It’s kind of something that I just do,” she said. “People always say, ‘When you help others you help yourself,’ and I keep that in mind. It’s something that makes me happy.”
Since enrolling in Merrimack College, Bennett made it a goal to immerse herself in the community and help her fellow Warriors however she could. Currently, she serves as vice president of the Active Minds, a student-led mental health awareness club.
“I found (the group) at the Student Involvement Fair during my freshman year,” she said. “I’ve always loved learning about mental health and helping other people discover their own (needs). And I definitely wanted to get involved (around campus).”
Active Minds hosts programs every other week centered around a mental health topic while offering resources for further self-care. As vice president, Bennett assists with the group’s tabling efforts and manages collaborations with other clubs on campus. Last year, Active Minds won the Student Organization of the Year at the College’s LEAD Awards.
“It was pretty cool being on the e-board for that,” she said.
In addition to Active Minds, Bennett works with the Office of Student Involvement.
“Spring concert during my freshman year was the first time I got involved,” she explained. “I did a lot of social media for it. This year, I’m a team lead for the clubs and organizations. I help clubs plan events, assist people who want to start clubs and help train different e-boards.”
If that wasn’t enough, Bennett worked as the social media director for Relay for Life, founded a baking club with her friend and recently started her first year as a resident advisor.
“I’m meeting so many new people and learning so much about the campus that I didn’t know before,” she said, “but I also feel that’s something that happens with any of the leadership roles that I have.”
Outside of her student outreach work, Bennett is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
“(The faculty) have so much experience and knowledge,” she said. “It really feels like I’m learning from a professional in that world and I feel like I’m getting all the stuff that I need to get there as well.”
After graduation, Bennett hopes to land a job as a social media director or photographer in either the sports or entertainment industry.
“It’s a lot different than what I thought I would be doing in college,” she said. “I started as an undecided major and I switched over in the spring semester of my freshman year. I did a lot of art and graphic design in high school so during that spring semester, I decided to switch it up and do all art courses just to see how I liked it. It worked out.”
