Fort Collins – There is one big misconception about college students that Courtney Healey would like to wipe out completely if she had the power as Colorado State University’s new student body president: “People just assume that we are all crazy 18-year-olds and that every student is getting put through school by their parent.”
In fact, Healey said, most college students work at least one job and get deeply involved in community work. Healey, 21, is no exception.
She was involved in the student government of the College of Liberal Arts before working as director of community affairs for the Associated Students of CSU last year.
Now she’ll be working even longer hours – 50 to 60 a week – as president in a year when the university is implementing reforms aimed at reducing the emphasis on alcohol on and around campus.
All this while she looks ahead to a career in law and politics while continuing as wife to fellow CSU student Erik Healey. The two met at Liberty High School in Colorado Springs and have been married for three years.
“We were high school sweethearts, and it may have been crazy for us to get married, but so far it’s worked,” Courtney Healey said.
Her home life has offered her a perspective that many traditional students do not have.
“I think I’m a little more well-rounded,” Healey said. “I know what affects a typical 21-year-old college student, and I also know what it’s like to pay bills and rent every month.”
Her vice president, 23-year-old Jon Muller, said the two will make a good team.
“She’s more connected to the younger crowd, and I’m probably more attuned to the students who are single,” Muller said.
The two will act as the public face of the CSU student body, which came under intense scrutiny last year after the drinking-related death of sophomore Samantha Spady.
Spady’s death inspired several efforts to study and curb alcohol consumption at CSU. Among the results were several recommendations from the school’s alcohol task force that included starting more efforts to get students into nondrinking activities.
Healey did her part last week by going door-to-door to talk to students about sober pastimes.
“We’re just here to make people aware that if you get bored, there are plenty of things for you to do besides get involved in parties,” Healey told one sleepy-eyed student last week.
Healey’s experience in student government will serve her well, said Linda Kuk, vice president of student affairs at CSU.
“She’s very smart, very outgoing and very articulate,” said Kuk. “She’s kind of a quick study, and she can analyze situations very well.”
Healey is generally a homebody but still likes to go out occasionally with friends. To her, though, it’s more about socializing than partying.
“I’m not so much into the drinking thing. But I do understand wanting to be with your friends and meeting people,” Healey said. “That’s what being in college is all about.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
