Courtney Petit

University of Houston-Victoria student Courtney Pettit believes college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and to fully enjoy it, students should be as active as they can.

This education major leads by example. She plays first base for the Jaguars softball team, is a member of the UHV Student Senate, mentors a high school student, and works in the university advancement office.

“I think it’s important to get involved in your school because college is supposed to be fun, so students should try as many new things as they can,” she said. “I joined the Student Senate because I heard about all the things they do for the students. It sounded interesting and like a good experience.”

Pettit found what she considers the perfect position on the Student Senate as an undergraduate senator at-large. Her responsibilities include informing the student body about upcoming events and encouraging students to get more involved.

“We do a lot of community service, and that’s another reason I got involved,” she said. “But we have a lot of fun activities, too. We walked in the Black History Month parade, and we had a bowling night where the first 20 students got to play for free. We’re hoping to get even bigger and have even more activities next year when we bring in UHV’s new freshmen and sophomores.”

Pettit said one advantage to joining the Senate was the chance to see university life from a different perspective. “I get to meet a lot of people outside the softball team,” she said.

“I get to see more of the student side of the college experience.” Ironically, Pettit, who transferred from San Jacinto College in Houston and now lives in Victoria, played her former team in this season’s softball opener. She said she wasn’t nervous about competing against many of her friends and past teammates.

“It was fun because I knew them,” she said. “It made me feel comfortable and gave me confidence because I knew they already respected me as a player. What was really exciting was my new team playing together for the first time and winning.”

When she’s not traveling with the Jaguars, Pettit mentors a high school student at the Memorial High School Stroman Campus in Victoria.

“I mentor her in math, which is really cool because I want to be a high school math teacher and mentoring prepares me for that. I get the opportunity to be a good example for her,” she said.

The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler  or call 361-570-4350.