Ashlee Martin ’26 is the president of the St. Joe’s chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania on the Lancaster campus. SNAP is an organization for nursing majors in Pennsylvania, which aims to get students involved in the community. Martin said it took two years for her to step into her current role as president of the chapter, which has 55 members. She oversees working with faculty advisors, leading meetings and preparing for the organization’s annual nursing convention in Harrisburg.
Why did you want to become president?
It wasn’t necessarily a huge desire to become the president, but it was an opportunity that was presented to me, and the vice president is a friend of mine, and she promised that she’d help me if I got overwhelmed.
What have you learned about your personal leadership style as president?
I can lead but also do it without being aggressive … You can do it as a friend. You can do it as a good person. I think that that is something that I’m really passionate about because I have little girls that I’m raising, and I’m raising them to be strong, independent women that are also respectful of people.
Who’s your favorite U.S. president?
Probably JFK because his wife is iconic, and he was such a great guy.
What’s the best advice someone’s ever given you?
Even in the face of adversity, it’s important to keep moving forward.
What’s something about you that might surprise other people?
I have twin girls. That’s always my party hat, or party trick, or whatever that saying is.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’ve got a lot on my plate, but I love to watch my girls play sports, and we love to go camping in the summer. I know it’s really nerdy, but I love to attend educational sessions. I love to go and broaden my education and learning base.
What’s your biggest worry right now?
The state of the U.S., just in general, just because I have little ones that are coming up, and [I’m] kind of worried about their future.
What talent would you most like to have?
Public speaking.
What do you value most in your friends?
Compassion … Everybody is going through something, and me included. So, if I have a friend that’s got good compassion, then they can recognize that, and they’re not expecting perfection.
