CSU Student of Distinction: Taylor Lucas

Although Commencement has passed, CSU continues to celebrate graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling Cleveland State University’s mission in or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate Taylor Lucas, who double majored in marketing and honors English and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Business Administration.

CSU: Have you had any significant internships/co-ops/careers while at CSU?

TL: I began my involvement at CSU during the spring semester of my freshman year (2023), when I worked as a TASC tutor for Economics 1 and 2 and also joined the Campus Activities Board as an assistant. Following my first year, in the summer of 2023, I completed an internship as a compliance intern with Union Home Mortgage Corp. 

In fall 2023, I took on the role of resident assistant, first serving in Langston and continuing in the position at Euclid Commons over the next two years. During the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in Hungary, where I participated in an intensive four-week language course through a partnership between the Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel and Cleveland State University. In the summer of 2025, I completed the Undergraduate Summer Research Award program, received the Outstanding Poster Award and have since continued my research through co-developing a journal article. 

This past year, I expanded my campus involvement by serving as a Traditions Executive Board member in fall 2025, and as of spring 2026, I have served as an editorial assistant for three faculty members in producing a two-volume book on Action Research. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of how the university operates while enhancing my leadership abilities and expanding my network across campus.

CSU: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at CSU?

TL: My connections with faculty and staff at CSU have been instrumental to my experience. As a student in the Honors College, I’ve had the opportunity to contract courses with professors in the English Department, which allowed me to engage more deeply with their scholarship. Being able to seek out additional challenges and receive more personalized feedback not only strengthened my academic growth but also helped me build meaningful relationships with faculty in my major.

Beyond the classroom, what stands out most is the strength of CSU’s community. I’ve had the privilege of interacting with a wide range of staff across campus, from TASC and dining services to facilities, the Counseling Center, CARE, Conference and Event Services, and administrative offices. In my role as a resident assistant, I’ve worked closely with many of these departments and have come to know and participate with campus leaders.

These experiences have shown me that CSU’s greatest strength lies in its people. The shared commitment among faculty and staff to support students is what has allowed me to form such genuine connections, and it’s something that makes me especially proud to take part in.

CSU: How has CSU inspired you for your future?

TL: Cleveland State has profoundly inspired how I view leadership and my future. Through my experiences here, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the behind-the-scenes work of university departments and organizations. By observing moments that required strong leadership, both in the classroom and through my campus roles, I’ve learned that effective leadership begins with truly understanding your team: recognizing individual strengths, assessing collective potential, and setting realistic, meaningful goals.

I’ve also come to value the importance of actively seeking feedback, particularly through my involvement in the Dean’s Advisory Council in 2023. This is where I witnessed the encouragement of open dialogue from upper leadership to student leaders, which better aligned and enhanced community efforts.

Across four years, my experiences have shown me that trust, credibility and ethical decision-making are built through consistent action, not just intention. Strong leaders make space for multiple voices and guide change with care and clarity. CSU has inspired me to carry forward an intentional, collaborative and action-driven approach to leadership into my future career.

CSU: How do you think you have fulfilled CSU’s mission?

TL: I believe I have embodied the CSU mission by responding to the evolving needs of the campus community in meaningful ways. I became a TASC tutor because I wanted to present course material in a way that would effectively support students. I chose to apply for the resident assistant role after being inspired by my own RA, wanting to recreate that supportive environment for others.

In many of my roles at CSU, I have approached my work with the headspace I have learned and long admired in my mom: to stay observant and proactively respond to needs as they arise. A powerful quote, a favorite shared between my dad and me from the animated film Robots, is, “See a need, fill a need.” I have taken these mindsets to heart, recognizing that impact is built through ongoing contributions.

I also believe that while individual initiative can spark change, as my RA did for me, it is sustained through collaboration. Through CSU, I have had the opportunity to work alongside many dedicated and talented individuals within specific cohorts, student organizations and broader campus groups, which has fulfilled my desire to be part of something larger than myself here at CSU.

Ultimately, I hope I have been that initial spark for someone else to get involved, contribute and help continue advancing the CSU mission.

CSU: Do you have a career lined up, and how has CSU been instrumental in that process?

TL: I will be moving to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Disney College Program. Given my strong interest in leadership and community-centered action, I am excited to learn from an organization known for its emphasis on people-first values and culture. I am especially eager to understand how Disney sustains and advances its legacy and how that internal culture translates into such a consistent and meaningful guest experience.

CSU has especially prepared me for this next step by helping me develop my leadership skills, professional adaptability and understanding of how organizations function at a community level.

Congratulations, Taylor!