Jared Merritt is a junior from Albion, Pa. He is majoring in political science, and is also a student-athlete with the LEC wrestling team. It might sound like he already has enough on his plate, but Jared is one of those LEC students who just enjoy being involved in as many student clubs and organizations as possible.

He is a member of the LEC Glee Club, a tour guide for the admissions office, and a Resident Assistant. Jared is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which allows him to be the voice of many student athletes on the issues that concern them. As a member of the national NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Jared gets to travel to national conferences where student-athletes from hundreds of colleges and universities come together, and represent Lake Erie College and the GLIAC.

Jared chose Lake Erie because it fit all of his college-search criteria. "[I came here] for the small community and the promise the school had with a new political science program and a brand-new wrestling program,” he explains. Yet he found a campus fill of a variety of ways to get involved.

"Probably my favorite thing about Lake Erie is that it gives students an opportunity to be involved in multiple extra-curricular activities if they desire to,” he says. "I am able to hold a national position with the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee asthe GLIAC liaison, and be a Resident Assistant. Many larger schools don't encourage lots of involvement, but here it is encouraged and commended and I would highly recommend it.”

When asked what his favorite thing about LEC is, Jared says it’s the community of people. "Whether that be the friendly and available staff or the welcoming student body.Also, the ability to be involvedand becomea leaderon campus throughgroupsandactivities.”

While he is in no hurry to leave the Lake Erie campus, Jared is already planning for the future. In five years he sees himself "just out of law school and working in a firm.” But most of all, living on his own.