Rodney Lopez ’25: October Student Leader of the Month
What people value most is being seen and heard, and that can only be done well if a leader is consistent
Rodney Lopez ’25 has been named the October 2024 Student Leader of the Month.
Lopez is a senior Political Science major and Business Innovation and Film double-minor from Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Currently, October’s winner serves as the President of the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs (BMSA), the Secretary for the Six Gents comedy club, and the first ever Campus Marketing Representative for Universal Pictures’ Campus U program. What’s more, he is an acclaimed student-actor within the PC Theater Department and a distinguished member of the Dirigo Leadership Honor Society.
Rounding out an already impressive resume of leadership roles, Rodney has welcomed new students to Providence College as an Orientation Leader for the past three years, which is the longest possible tenure a student can accept for this position. Representing yet another testament to Mr. Lopez’s dutiful impact on the PC community, Rodney was asked to share his story with the Board of Trustees’ Student Affairs Committee on an exclusive panel of just five students this past month.
When asked how he demonstrates leadership on campus, October’s winner highlighted the importance of choosing to be present. Whether he is communicating with another student one-on-one, addressing a large group, or listening to others speak, he explained how remaining in the moment sharpens his focus and sets the tone for shared success.
With a jam-packed schedule that would threaten to overwhelm even the most organized college student, Rodney has thrived by concentrating on improving the things he can control. For Mr. Lopez, active listening is one of those things; he likens his leadership style to a tortoise, stopping first to hear what others have to say and evaluating the situation before making steady, goal-oriented strides.
Citing Aristotle’s famous line that “we are what we repeatedly do,” October’s winner states that being consistent is one of the most important lessons a leader should learn: “what people value most is being seen and heard, and that can only be done well if a leader is consistent.” It is with this philosophy in mind that Rodney thoughtfully shows up for every single student he leads, earning the reputation as one of the most dependable and accomplished individuals in the PC community.
As President of BMSA, Rodney seeks to make the board more inclusive, supporting the experience of POC students while allowing people of all ethnic backgrounds to come together, deeply connect, and celebrate their heritage. His vision for BMSA depicts a united community where all members feel comfortable and eager to work with each other long after he has graduated. Looking to the future, Rodney recognizes that he will in many ways have to restart his leadership journey after departing PC; however, he is excited to become a sponge, soaking up new lessons and becoming a resource for those around him: “I hope to inspire others to do the same, so that I might learn with and (eventually) teach others.”
