In Spring 2022, I was accepted to the Leadership LSU cohort. The cohort worked on capstone projects that were presented before various community leaders. These projects were required to tackle current campus issues and devise impactful solutions. My group's discussions focused on access to modern, clean facilities, sufficient healthcare, and spaces for students to explore their sense of self. The resultant initiative, the Passion Project, established a comprehensive hub within the LSU community. This hub would provide individuals with a space for regrouping, reflection, and self-discovery.

While LSU provides a range of free resources, they are not always up-to-date or easily accessible. For instance, the Student Health Center, although available to all students, has been criticized for its outdated and unattractive physical infrastructure. Additionally, resources like the Women's Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, and African American Cultural Center, while open to everyone, often receive less attention and promotion than some of the more socially oriented aspects of campus life. Similarly, resources such as the LGBTQ+ Project and Lighthouse Program often go unnoticed by students.

One notable gap on LSU's campus is the need for a centralized relaxation space for students. College life can be overwhelming, particularly for first-year students, who require a place to decompress. While the Student Union is a primary relaxation space, it is often very busy. Some argue that students can relax in their dorms or apartments, but these spaces can also be sources of stress. The Passion Project proposes to fill this void by offering a centralized space on the decentralized campus dedicated to relaxation, resource access, and community involvement.

Recognizing that projects of this magnitude take time to develop, my team and I suggested an incremental approach. We propose starting small by offering relaxation rooms within the library throughout the semester, with minor renovations to make them a permanent library fixture. These rooms would also feature an information wall highlighting the various student support services available on campus and in the surrounding community. Once these relaxation rooms gain substantial engagement, we proposed presenting the concept of a revamped Student Health Center to the LSU Board of Supervisors. By May 2026, we hope for LSU to unveil a new Student Health Center equipped with zen spaces and resources for self-discovery. Implementing the Passion Project will create a space that encourages students to explore their passions, enhance self-awareness, foster self-advocacy, and inspire self-discovery.

During discussions within various groups, the allocation of LSU's funds in recent years emerged as a topic of interest. My group highlighted the 115,520-square-foot Football Operations Center, which underwent a $28 million renovation in 2019. In contrast, Duke University invested $25 million in constructing an 86,500-square-foot Student Wellness Center in 2017. This facility included yoga and meditation studios, small group activity rooms, and a zen garden. In the same year, the university completed a $186.88 million multiphase project to upgrade athletic facilities. While LSU has made infrastructure improvements over the years, students have felt neglected, as their requests for changes on campus often go unanswered. Persistent issues include parking difficulties, outdated academic buildings, and a deteriorating library. When the university does invest in academics, it predominantly benefits agriculture, engineering, or science students. Prioritizing resources that benefit all students could enhance the university's reputation, potentially improving retention and graduation rates.