DeKALB — Panelists from NIU’s Black Student Union (BSU), Prism and the Women and Gender Advocacy Alliance (WGAA) discussed the importance of leadership and leadership and getting involved on campus during a Women’s History Month panel on Tuesday.
The panel, “DEFYING the odds and making HERStory: NIU Student Leadership Across Campus,” focused on highlighting student leaders and learning about how intersectional identities can shape people’s experiences.
Three guest speakers, one from each organization, spoke about what they do on campus and what leadership looks like to them.
Danielle Broege, a senior English major and the director of programming for Prism, focused on Prism’s role at NIU and on the organization’s role.
“Prism’s goal is to really just have an open space for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ or allies, or just anyone who wants to come in,” Broege said. “Our goal is really just to have an environment where people can come in, feel safe and meet new people.”
Kristen Janiak, a second-year marketing major and vice president of WGAA, described how she came into leadership on campus.
“I joined WGAA my freshman year. I wasn’t a part of any other organizations, but wanted to start getting involved on campus,” Janiak said. “I saw that there were e-board roles available, and as a marketing major, I saw the public relations officer position, so I thought that was perfect for me.”
Inara Perryman, a senior political science major and president of BSU, discussed what it means to be a leader.
“Being a leader on campus, it just means setting a great example for those who come after you, those who are still looking to get involved, still trying to find themselves,” Perryman said. “It teaches you a lot about yourself. Teaches you about who you want to be when you graduate.”
Kitzia Martinez, a senior general health and human sciences major, attended the panel to try to get more involved on campus.
“I wanted to be more involved in just NIU in general,” Martinez said. “Honestly, I think it’s really great because students like me didn’t know that all these organizations existed.”
Another attendee, senior human development and family science major Maja Keska, found the panel to be informative and appreciated the topics discussed.
“I thought it was so informative. I really liked hearing about all the women leaders on campus,” Keska said. “It’s cool to see everyone out here. I wish I knew about them earlier in my NIU career.”
All organizations present at the panel, Prism, BSU and WGAA, are listed on Huskie Hub. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center will host NIU’s Transgender Day of Visibility 2026: Growing Visibility host NIU’s Transgender Day of Visibility 2026: Growing Visibility at 1 p.m. on March 31 in room 132 of the Peters Campus Life Building.
