Howard Payne University senior Mitsue Rodriguez recently spoke at the First Annual Pfluger Student Leadership Conference, organized by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger. Rodriguez serves as HPU’s Student Government Association (SGA) president and spoke to high school students alongside other SGA presidents from the University of Texas Permian Basin and Angelo State University.

Rodriguez and the other SGA representatives had the opportunity to serve on a panel at the conference, answering various questions for high school participants. Topics included overcoming personal challenges and inspiration for serving as leaders.

Tammy Arreola, HPU’s dean of students and Title IX coordinator, shared that Rodriguez was an excellent representative on behalf of the university.

“Mitsue has been a humble and inspiring leader on campus,” Arreola said. “This conference allowed her to share the challenges she has overcome, the fundamentals of becoming an effective leader, and how she incorporates her faith in her role. We are proud of her representation of HPU.”

Rodriguez is a kinesiology major from San Antonio and has been a member of HPU’s volleyball team since 2019. She plans to graduate in May and hopes to work as a collegiate volleyball coach or attend chiropractic school. Rodriguez expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to speak at the conference.

“It was an incredible experience to speak in front of the high school students,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to share my story and how I’ve gotten to where I am as a leader and student-athlete. I hope my advice will benefit those students throughout their leadership journeys.”