Sheridan Leak ’25 is a biology major from Burlington, New Jersey. As president of the Black Student Union, Leak spends a lot of her time in the Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) office in Campion Student Center. Leak said the people in the CID office, in particular, Natalie Walker Brown, director of inclusion and diversity educational achievement, make her feel welcome. “There’s always people that are in the CID that are so cool. There’s a big TV where we watch movies, and sometimes we’ll just be doing homework. The vibes always switch around. I like the people that are there all of the time, and it’s a very comfortable space to be in,” Leak said.
What’s your favorite class you’ve ever taken at St. Joe’s?
Anthropology and Philosophy of the Body, an honors class that I took last year. I’m a bio major, so I love science classes, obviously, but it was such a cool blend of science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and philosophy … The professors were awesome — Dr. Samuel Talcott and Dr. Michelle Ramirez. They really loved me because I loved it so much.
Who is someone on campus you look up to?
Natalie Walker Brown … I can talk to her about serious things and about fun things and always get a good, healthy, balanced response.
What talent would you most like to have?
I want to play the piano.
What is something about you that might surprise other people?
When I drive, especially for longer drives, I always listen to podcasts instead of music.
If you could be any building on campus, which one would you be?
McShain Hall, because so much character development happens there.
Who is your favorite celebrity?
Issa Rae, the creator of the show, “Insecure.” It’s so funny but also so relatable. It speaks to the experience of being a Black woman in this time. I think the way she represents that through comedy is brilliant. She’s so smart.
What is your most treasured possession?
My grandpa used to work for USPS, and when he passed away in 2020, we had to fly out to Arizona and help my grandma pack up the house. My mom gave me his USPS jacket. When I have a bad day, I put that jacket on and feel a little hug from him.
What is your biggest worry right now?
All the [BSU] presidents that came before me have been role models. A lot of the students, especially when I was a freshman, look up to whoever the BSU president is. They were always good people to talk to. My biggest worry is that if I am so busy and running all over the place, I don’t have the space to be that person that someone would come to.
What’s a word you hope people on campus would use to describe you?
Conscientious.
What is your definition of happiness?
Being in a space where I have full support for my ambitions and goals.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I am lucky enough to have two really awesome parents that love each other a lot and love their kids a lot.
What’s on your bucket list to do in Philly or on campus before you graduate?
I actually just checked this off my list, but it was to go to fifth floor McShain because it was always so mysterious. When I lived in McShain, I saw someone go up there while I was in the elevator. I popped my head out, and it looked so cool, but I never had the opportunity to actually go up there. I just went up there to interview someone, and now I can graduate in peace.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A biostatistician. I want to get my Ph.D. in biostatistics.
