ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the fall semester in our #WeAreMore feature series, we will feature student-athletes and their contributions off the field of play, providing a glimpse into their campus and community involvement.
Our CSP student-athletes are so much more than the sports they play. Learn about the incredible impact these individuals have made, and continue to make, as we uncover what makes them MORE.
Feature stories will be published every Monday and Wednesday throughout the remainder of the semester. Stay tuned and Go Bears! Presented by ACR Homes.
Our second #WeAreMore feature story highlights Lexi Stanley, proud black woman and senior defender for CSP Lacrosse.
Alexis is a Farmington, Minn. native. At CSP, she is a member of the Communications Club and Student Athlete Wellness Group (SAWG) and holds the position of Vice President of Student Affairs and Relations for the entire student body, through Student Senate.
Outside of CSP, Alexis is also incredibly involved. She is one of seven founding members of Black Athletes United (BAU), which aims to educate, advocate, support and be a resource to Black student athletes in the Twin Cities and beyond. Alexis is also the Digital Manager for Minnesota Voice, one of the state's largest civic engagement non-profit organizations, that works toward permanent change in racial, social and economic justice by way of civic engagement and voter participation across the state. The organization focuses on underrepresented communities to ensure that every Minnesotan's voice is heard and the state reflects the values of its people.
Finally, Alexis serves as the Administrative Lead on the Executive Board of Minnesota #insulin4all. Minnesota #insulin4all is a non-profit organization made up of volunteer advocates that help raise awareness about the insulin price crisis and push for transparency and lower insulin prices. As an organization, they recently passed a bill in April 2020 called the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which provides relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin.
Alexis Stanley on being an advocate for change:
"Being an advocate for change to me means doing more for people other than yourself. You're fighting battles and advocating for those who don't feel like they have a voice. Advocates change the world, even if it's little things, they still matter."
ALEXIS STANLEY – IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: What are your responsibilities as Vice President of Student Affairs and Relations and how do you serve the CSP student body?
Alexis: My responsibilities as VP of Student Affairs and Relations vary from running our senate social media, planning our day at the capitol and leading the campus connection committee that focuses on highlighting CSP events and students to get students more involved. I serve the student body by being the bridge of information that's sent out to them, as well as being their voice on the Minnesota Private College Counsel.
CSP: Talk about your involvement with Communications Club. What skills have you gained as a result of being a member in the organization?
Alexis: I joined the Communications Club my sophomore year. Since then, I've created a handful of connections that will help me after I graduate. I've become a better planner, public speaker, organizer and leader because of the club. It's benefited me in the best of ways and I'm very thankful CSP has this club.
CSP: Tell us a little more about your role with SAWG. In what ways do you all advocate for student-athlete wellness?
Alexis: For SAWG, I'm a member who comes to our meetings and helps where it's needed. They plan events to help bring awareness to mental health. We advocate for student-athlete wellness in many ways whether it be working with our athletic department to have them help us bring awareness, host events to let students know they're not alone and a main goal is to break the stigma around mental health in sports and in everyday life.
CSP: What is your role as a founding member of BAU, and how can people get involved with the group to affect positive change?
Alexis: As a founding member of BAU, we don't have defined roles. We all work in a cohesive group and are all equals. People can get involved in the group by reaching out to me, or any of the other 6 founding members. We have hosted a Juneteenth event, along with a gun-violence vigil for those we've lost in the community. We are an outside group, not affiliated with CSP, but CSP students are more than welcome to come join and help us empower our community.
CSP: Walk us through your involvement with MN #insulin4all. How rewarding was it to be involved with the passing of the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act?
Alexis: My involvement goes back to December of 2018, eight months after I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. MN #insulin4all changed my life and taught me how to use the voice I didn't know how to use. It started with my psychology professor here at CSP, Rob Kilbourn, who invited me to speak at a roundtable with state senators and other legislators. After that, I fell in love with advocating and I found my passion. I was invited to be on the executive board for MN #insulin4all and the rest is essentially history. Through our work getting the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, I was invited to be the governor's guest at his 2020 State of the State Address (cancelled due to COVID-19) but that has to be one of the most rewarding feelings I've had. Knowing that diabetics are able to access emergency insulin so they don't have to ration is a huge win, but that's just the beginning.
CSP: What does being the Digital Manager of Minnesota Voice entail, and how can individuals support the mission of the civic engagement organization?
Alexis: Being the Digital Manager for Minnesota Voice entails a lot. I run all of our digital ads, communications, social media pages, along with connecting with other 501c3 Non-Profits in our area in order to push our mission of fighting for social, racial and economic justice. We register people to vote, to ensure that they're being represented in the legislature. Individuals can support the mission of Minnesota Voice by volunteering to phone bank and text bank, along with any in-person drives and events Minnesota Voice holds, which can all be found on our social media pages (@Minnesota_Voice).
CSP: What makes you MORE?
Alexis: My drive and passion to change the lives of the people around me, makes me more. I'm more than just an athlete.
