Learning Commons Spotlight: Aigelica Ellis

The Learning Commons gives a monthly award that features students we work with who have shown greatness in academic excellence, social leadership, peer development, and/or community engagement. These students are nominated and selected by the Learning Commons team. They are interviewed and receive a gift card to the Kohawk Shop! Stay tuned to learn more about this month's recipient: Aigelica Ellis!

Written by Kathryn Kidd

Meet Aigelica

Aigelica (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Coe majoring in Sociology & Political Science. She is involved in the Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaboration (JDEI), Black Self-Educated Organization (BSEO), Crimson Fellowship Honors Program, and Student Activities Committee (SAC). She is a peer minister, Coehort member, CAP leader, tutor, and KCOE co-host. Aigelica believes that being involved with campus activities is what makes a great Coe student, which she embodies through the collection of organizations she contributes to.

From the moment she stepped on campus, Aigelica felt like Coe could be her home. Aigelicia’s favorite place on campus has become the Intercultural Center because of that same feeling of home. Through BSEO, Aigelica met Trinity Bias and Cassie Villarreal. Aigelica said “getting to see women who look like me on campus do what they can to make a difference really motivated me to want to become more of a leader.”

Aigelica grew up in St. Louis and knew she wanted to become a lawyer to help her community grow stronger and overcome adversity. She wants to be “somebody that stands in front and makes change from the ground up.” After graduating, Aigelica hopes to stay in Cedar Rapids and run for office to make a difference for students in the community, which is why she also wants to start a non-profit organization that supports marginalized groups in Cedar Rapids.

Academic Success Story

Aigelica started at Coe with stellar grades and high involvement in extracurricular activities. Then she decided she wanted to learn Japanese for a semester abroad. This class was a challenge for her; she felt uncomfortable talking in class and was often confused. She started falling behind, which created a domino effect of being behind in other classes as well. 

Aigelica reached out to the Learning Commons for tutoring in Japanese. She works regularly with Kathy Welsh, who nominated Aigelica for this award. Kathy wrote, “Through her diligence and willingness to get help when she needed it, she got a B+ in the class and her confidence in herself soared.” Aigelica has since raised her grade to an A and is excited to participate in what is now her favorite class. 

Advice for Peers

Aigelica says that her advice for other students is to reach out for help because sometimes you can’t do it on your own. If you can’t find the type of help you need at first, keep looking! She also says that we should take more risks. Reaching out for help is scary sometimes, but it can be worth it in the end. 

Furthermore, Aigelica says that her support system has helped her to become a “better student, better person, better leader, a better human walking this earth.” The best advice that she has gotten was from her grandfather, who had obstacles in his life that some may see as roadblocks–but he didn’t let that hold him back. He told her, “Just because you need help, doesn’t mean that you’re helpless.” This is the message Aigelica spreads every day through her activism and academic work.