Jessica von Zastrow

New Albany, Ohio | Economics and Political Science Double Major

Jessica von Zastrow is this year’s chair of the Armstrong Student Center Board. Under Jessica’s leadership, the board developed a joint resolution for ensuring student representation through the flag plaques in Armstrong, is developing a refreshed educational campaign around recycling, is developing a joint ASG/Armstrong proposal for providing menstrual products in restrooms, and has been working hard to further the campaign to have more inclusive art and graphics and showcase student art in the building. And if this role was not enough, Jessica is also this year’s Student Body Vice President, where she continues to be instrumental in representing her peers and positively impacting their Miami experience.

During her third year, Jessica asked for an exception to take a capstone course designed to understand campus culture and remove large-scale barriers to student success, including high-risk alcohol use, mental health concerns, and sexual and interpersonal violence. The faculty member who made the exception wrote in his nomination letter that he was thrilled she asked for the exception and her performance was such that he asked her to serve as a teaching assistant for this year’s version of the capstone.

Jessica has also been the president of Women in Social Entrepreneurship, executive manager of the Honors Student Advisory Board, a designer for Miami University Fashion & Design, a Scholar Leader, a campus tour guide, and a leadership coordinator in the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service. One nominator wrote that “Jessica’s ‘can do’ attitude, along with her ability to see every side of an issue/problem, make her an extremely effective and respected student leader.”