Meet Lio.
From the time they were 5 years old, Lio McElroy knew their dream was to be an actor. Growing up in a small school district in West Union, Ohio, without many opportunities in theater, they dreamed of the day they could fully embrace their passion for the arts. That dream came true when they found a home at 魅影直播.
鈥淚鈥檓 the fourth person in my family to choose Shawnee,鈥 they said. 鈥淏ut instead of majoring in English or science like the rest of my family, I decided to pursue my lifelong passion by majoring in fine arts.鈥
As an actor, poet and songwriter, they鈥檝e found Shawnee to be the perfect place to express creativity and build meaningful relationships. 鈥淪hawnee has that small school feel while still giving me opportunities to build a community through different types of clubs,鈥 they said. 鈥淚鈥檝e even been able to create some myself.鈥
One of their biggest surprises came from an unexpected new path in dance. 鈥淚f someone had told me years ago that I would be the co-captain of Shawnee State鈥檚 new dance team, I would鈥檝e laughed in their face,鈥 they said. 鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for SSU, I wouldn鈥檛 have discovered my deep passion for dance.鈥
In addition to performing, they stay actively involved across campus. They鈥檝e served as vice president of the Transgender Coalition and now serve as president of the Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club. The organization hosts events and meetings for LGBTQIA+ students.
鈥淲e hold meetings and events specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies because everyone deserves to feel loved and wanted,鈥 McElroy said. 鈥淭hrough SAGA, the dance team and my major, I鈥檝e made some of my best friends.鈥
Reflecting on their journey, they said Shawnee State has given them more than just an education 鈥 it鈥檚 given them a sense of belonging. 鈥淚 came to college wanting community,鈥 they said. 鈥淎nd I learned that being your authentic self will attract people who love those parts of you.鈥
