For Marisa LaPlante ’26, service, connection, and community have been defining parts of her experience at the College of Saint Benedict. As a Strategic Communication Studies major with a concentration in Marketing, Marisa has spent her time at CSB building meaningful relationships, stepping outside of her comfort zone, and using her talents to make a positive impact both on and off campus.
Marisa says she was first drawn to CSB because of the strong sense of community she felt during her campus visit. What stood out most to her was how easy it seemed to build genuine relationships — not only with other students, but also with faculty, staff, and alumni.
“From the moment I stepped on campus, I immediately felt at home and had a deep sense of connection here,” Marisa shared.
Since arriving at CSB, Marisa has embraced experiences that helped shape her both personally and professionally. She credits opportunities like studying abroad in Germany, working at The Experience Hub, and serving as a CSB Senior Class Ambassador for helping her grow in confidence, leadership, and adaptability. Through her work as a Senior Class Ambassador, Marisa has helped foster connection and school spirit among her classmates while encouraging students to celebrate and give back to the CSB community that shaped their college experience.
One of the most meaningful aspects of Marisa’s time at CSB has been her involvement in volunteer and service work. During her final semester, she interned with Overcomers International Fellowship Dream Center as a Development and Marketing Intern. The organization supports men who have experienced incarceration, homelessness, or addiction. In this role, Marisa used her communication and marketing skills to help amplify the organization’s mission and outreach efforts.
Being part of that work had a lasting impact on her perspective.
“Volunteering has allowed me to meet people from many different backgrounds and life experiences,” Marisa said. “It has helped me develop more empathy and understanding for people facing challenges such as financial hardship, addiction, incarceration, or trauma.”
Marisa believes service is such an important part of the CSB experience because it encourages students to think beyond themselves and become active members of their communities. She says service helps students build empathy, leadership skills, and meaningful relationships while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Throughout her college journey, Marisa says she has grown tremendously in her confidence and ability to advocate for herself. She especially credits the staff at The Experience Hub for supporting and encouraging her throughout her time at CSB+SJU and helping her pursue opportunities that shaped who she is today.
Some of her favorite memories at CSB include Bennie Dinner as both a first-year and senior student, spending time near the Koi Pond, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Main Building and Alcuin Library.
After graduation, Marisa hopes to pursue a career in communications and marketing within the nonprofit sector, where she can continue using storytelling and connection to make a positive impact in people’s lives and help organizations share meaningful missions and stories.