Emily Campbell believes that every person is created with inherent dignity and that it’s vital for that dignity to be honored. When she observed that women around her and globally were not receiving adequate medical care, it ignited a passion for women’s health.

After high school, she enrolled at PennWest Edinboro, where she has thoughtfully curated a college career filled with education and experiences that are preparing her for the work she wants to do.

Campbell is a junior political science major. To complement that curriculum and best prepare her to work toward developing effective policy that promotes women’s health, she has a dual minor of data analytics and Spanish.

With less than a year to go before she completes her degree and graduates – a semester early – her choices have been affirmed. She is gaining hands-on experience through internship opportunities with the Institute for Women’s Health in Washington, D.C., which was founded to advocate for the optimal health and thriving of women throughout every phase of life. She said the experience has been “incredibly impactful.” Her work, which began as a summer internship and has expanded through this academic year, has included a variety of tasks.

“One of the (primary tasks) was researching various women’s health issues. The repetition of this type of research allowed me to familiarize myself with common health data banks,” Campbell said. “We also had the chance to write about our findings on women’s health issues and topics. We evaluated these issues as they related to the pillars of women’s optimal health. This form of evaluation increased my understanding of people’s overall health, rather than just their individual symptoms.”

During the 20 hours she works each week with the Institute for Women’s Health, she has aided in the creation of materials that support the work of the institute’s senior staff.

“We did this by proposing media posts, drafting resources and creating graphics. I previously had some experience with this type of work, but creating resources for a cause I am so passionate about makes it all the more rewarding, Campbell said.

Her PennWest classes prepared her for the internship.

“We spend countless hours in school, studying and memorizing the definitions and functions of different groups. To see the work they do and how they function together makes it much more real,” she said.

The experience enables Campbell to more fully understand the differences among many of the nations she learned about in class, and it gives her a more comprehensive grasp on how foreign policy impacts these countries.

“This experience taught me the value of learning about the lives of the people you are trying to support. It has given me the opportunity to see how professionals work together to achieve their goals, in and out of government.”

One of the most important benefits of completing the internship is learning more about herself.

“It is crucial that we, as students, know what it is that we are working toward. A job description on paper may seem very different from the actual work we will be doing. This internship gave me the great opportunity to take that next professional step and begin to develop my own professional sense of self,” she said.

Added to the intrinsic worth of the internship, Campbell was recognized with the JoAnne Day Student of the Year Award. Presented by Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers, the award recognizes the achievements and contributions of undergraduate students who have completed an internship or co-op. To be eligible, students must attend a PennACE member institution; each of PennWest’s three campuses – California, Clarion and Edinboro – is a member.

Campbell, who won in the Liberal Arts category, received a plaque and a $250 check. Other categories are Business, STEM and Associate Degree.

At Edinboro, she is president of the Catholic Scots student organization and has helped plan events, conducted Bible study and walked with other young women in their faith lives. As vice-president of the Student Government Association, she heads the Advocacy Committee, a group of students who work together to solve issues facing the student body. An Honors College Student, Campbell has had the opportunity to take more rigorous classes, attend special presentations and serve the community.

“I hope that each topic I have studied will someday aid in my career aspirations,” Campbell said. “My enhanced understanding of foreign languages, mathematics, and social sciences has given me a greater ability to communicate and problem solve. This greater ability to research and communicate findings will certainly be helpful in the world of political science.”

She particularly appreciates the guidance of Dr. Gerry Gendlin, who is her academic advisor and a professor of political science.

“He has played an instrumental role in the development of my analytical and evaluative thinking,” she said.

Outside of her studies, Campbell has participated in a mission trip to Las Yayitas, Dominican Republic. She found her PennWest education to be valuable there, as well.

“We aided in the development of their water sanitation infrastructure. This opportunity allowed me to see how important seemingly small details become when they involve people’s necessities, such as water,” Campbell said. “Education on topics like filter cleaning and upkeep can determine the longevity of such projects. Having a background on plan development and the country’s political history proved to be helpful throughout the week.”

Campbell said her PennWest Edinboro experience has far surpassed her expectations. After her December 2025 graduation, she plans to work for a few years before pursuing post-baccalaureate education.

“It is important to me to find a place to work where I could uphold my morals and truly work to serve women throughout every phase of their life,” Campbell said.