In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are sharing a special #BuckeyeLove post! Get to know this year’s Homecoming Queen and her journey at The Ohio State University. We hope that you love her story and find it just as extraordinary as we do.
From Cleveland, Ohio, we would like to introduce you to Miss Lisa Combs! Majoring in Political Science and English with a minor in Leadership Studies, not only is Lisa preparing for graduation, but she is applying to graduate programs in higher education. Ultimately, Lisa would one day like to work at an institution in leadership development with students.
Lisa works both as an office assistant in the administrative suite and as an assistant for student activities. When applying to colleges four years ago, Lisa said that she applied to four schools in Washington, D.C. in hopes of becoming a lawyer, and Ohio State was her safety school. When deciding to become a Buckeye, Lisa said that the Morrill scholarship made a world of a difference. And ever since, her decision to attend Ohio State has made a huge difference in her own world as her “first taste of access.” Lisa went on to share the following: “I am really passionate about having conversations about values with students concerning self-authorship. Giving students access and understanding leadership education has become one of my passions.”
Lisa’s favorite spot on campus is the Long Walk because it is symbolic of her favorite word—love. History and tradition are the two reasons Lisa chose the Long Walk as her favorite spot on campus. Lisa’s whole vision is to make every student feel loved, because she considers herself a “new romantic who is heavy on Taylor Swift stuff!” Off campus, Lisa’s favorite spot is her house, the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house. “That’s my home and where I spend the majority of my time.” Outside of her sorority and two jobs, Lisa is involved with many student organizations on campus. Lisa is a member of the Student Leadership Advocates (SLA) group which facilitates leadership workshops for other student organizations. Lisa was also an orientation leader and a resident advisor in Baker East residence hall, and she was a member of the Junior Class honorary, Bucket and Dipper.
Authenticity, love and vulnerability—these are three words Lisa used to describe herself. Lisa chose vulnerability because she has a “unique talent to speak with people and get them to tell their story. I think it stems from me being vulnerable because I am able to share with them—it takes so much strength to share what all you have gone through.” Lisa then began to talk about how the people here at Ohio State have made her experience truly extraordinary. At the root of it all, Lisa feels we share in the love for Ohio State (and hatred for that state up north!). Upon graduation, Lisa is looking forward to taking everything Ohio State has given her and paying it forward to the rest of world. “Sharing the love that Ohio State has given to me is something very important, because I love being a Buckeye for life.” One thing Lisa wants to be remembered for is her personal brand. “Love is the value that guides my life in everything that I do. I want people to feel loved when I was with them.”
We hope that you all loved Lisa’s story just as much as we did! Feel free to use the hashtag #BuckeyeLove in your social media conversations and share your own Buckeye Love story.
Written by Erin Lee