Kelsey Haberberger always knew she wanted to make a difference.
Now, as a senior, Haberberger displays her passion for helping people by serving as the Missouri Student Association president.
Haberberger’s term was not without its obstacles. Former MSA president Mason Schara stepped down over the summer and Haberberger assumed the presidency with under a month to prepare for the school year. She said taking over MSA was tough, because the first few weeks were pivotal in making sure the semester was successful.
“I spent a lot of time talking to Student Life staff figuring out how to work around my student teaching schedule,” Haberberger said. “Once I had a firm grasp on the logistics, I immediately started outlining what I wanted to accomplish in the fall semester.”
Though she has been able to adjust being thrown into the position, the transition was rapid.
“The transition was difficult for me because there wasn’t any time before Mason left,” Haberberger said. “Ultimately, I had to figure everything out on my own. Luckily, I had an amazing team to work with once the semester started. Cabinet really stepped up and supported me, and I’m very thankful for that.”
MBA student Caleb Phillips, a fellow Summer Welcome leader, said although Haberberger has had to respond to many difficult and challenging situations in her role as MSA president, she’s able to persevere and see through all her decisions.
“I have seen her selflessly lead when most of the cards were stacked against her,” Phillips said. “It is no secret that she has seen her fair share of challenging situations, but through it all, she has continued to lead with steadfast compassion, dedication and utmost concern for the students of the University of Missouri.”
What Haberberger said she loves most about her position is a less visible aspect of the job.
“Mostly, I enjoy working with the students and hearing their success stories,” Haberberger said. “I feel like that’s something that is greatly overlooked.”
Since Haberberger took over as MSA president, she has helped pilot the MSA-led program Enough Is Enough, a sexual violence prevention campaign where people pledge to advocate against sexual violence and to not be a passive bystander.
MSA hosted different events for the campaign, such as “These Hands Don’t Hurt,” where participants put their handprints on a banner to show they are taking a stand to prevent sexual violence.
“Right now, we have a lot of motivation and a lot of momentum to keep it going,” Haberberger said. “I’m most proud of (this) campaign. Each cabinet member played a significant role in helping with the initiative, and I’m very pleased with the awareness we have raised for preventing sexual violence.”
Since starting in her freshman year at MU, Haberberger has been involved in numerous organizations along with MSA such as the Outreach Student Recruitment Team and Summer Welcome. She’s been a leader in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and is a College of Education Ambassador.
“I’ve always very much been a people person, so when I came to college, I knew I wanted to get involved, and I needed to figure out a way to make the campus smaller,” Haberberger said.
Because of this, she said one of her favorite organizations she’s been a part of is Summer Welcome, where she has worked as both a leader and a coordinator.
“(As a leader) it’s awesome to know you’ve helped so many students start to find their place at Mizzou,” Haberberger said. “When I was a coordinator, it was really great to get to plan a program that reached so many students. It was an honor to get to help usher in the biggest freshman class Mizzou has ever had.”
Aside from her work with MSA, Haberberger’s fondest memory at MU is Tap Day 2013. On this day, she was tapped into QEBH.
“It was a really unique situation because I was a sophomore,” Haberberger said. “It was a very memorable experience because I looked up to all of those people on the stage who I got tapped in with. They’re very special people, and every day I aspire to be more like them.”
Leigh Neier, assistant teaching professor in the College of Education, has known Haberberger since she was a freshman.
“As the sophomore tap, seeing Kelsey unveiled on the stage in Jesse Hall is forever captured in my heart,” Neier said. “It was very cool that it is also captured in Mizzou’s history books, too.”
Haberberger said she viewed this as an incredibly special experience because it’s a unique tradition to the campus.
“It made me believe that I can make an impact on this campus, and I hope everyone else believes that, too,” Haberberger said. “I’m really proud to be part of such an important tradition at Mizzou.”
Haberberger continues to look forward to this experience, as she said she enjoyed the 2014 Tap Day more so than her own because of how closely she holds this inducted class and aims to be more like them.
Through all of her experiences, Haberberger has gained people who admire the qualities she possesses, such as Phillips, who said her compassion and friendship has had a profound impact on himself and many others.
“I have known Kelsey for two years, and Kelsey is three things: a positive leader, an unwavering friend and a true joy of a person,” Phillips said. “Even with all she has going on, she has remained true to herself, encouraging and uplifting to those around her and bursting with positivity. Her spirit is incredibly contagious — every time I run into her, I am filled with joy and walk away just rejuvenated and reenergized.”
Neier met Haberberger as a freshman in a lecture hall of about 120 students. She said that she still remembers where Haberberger sat because “that’s the type of person she is.”
“Her thoughtful presence in a large group is always felt,” Neier said. “Whether she speaks or listens, she has a way of making a statement with the way she maintains that presence.”
Neier said she sees Haberberger as unique among peers for her compassion.
“Kelsey is loving,” Neier said. “It’s such a simple word, but I hope that those who read this article will take true pause. I’ll say it again, Kelsey is loving. In a world where I think we are all very trained to do our best to prove that we might be the smartest person in the room, Kelsey leads with kindness first. Always. I admire that so much.”
Though her time as MSA president is coming to an end, Haberberger said she still plans to help students on campus.
“I remember I was walking down the street, and a girl came up to me and told me I was the reason she decided to come to Mizzou after she had been accepted because I took her on the tour of the College of Education,” Haberberger said. “That was really special to me because I was able to help make that difference in her life.”