Caitlyn Egan arrived at PennWest California from Ohio with a world that suddenly felt too big and too small at the same time.

“I came to Cal not knowing a single person,” she said. “At first it was hard, it was confusing.”

After being involved throughout high school, Caitlyn thought college might be a time to step back. Instead, she discovered something about herself: The more she connected, the more she became who she was meant to be.

“I don’t know why I’m trying to shrink my world so small,” she remembered thinking. “So I decided to make it a lot bigger and get more involved.”

That decision shaped nearly every part of Caitlyn’s PennWest experience. A senior majoring in Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Investigation and Cyber Forensics, she became deeply involved across campus through Student Government Association, club volleyball, the Criminal Justice Club, SAI Board and peer mentoring.

Across those roles, Caitlyn learned that leadership starts with connection.

“I really try to build connections with everyone that is involved in the clubs that I'm in,  and make everyone kind of just feel welcome and comfortable so we can all support each other in becoming the best versions of ourselves,” she said.

She also gained real-world experience through an internship with the Ocean City Police Department, an opportunity that helped shape her passion for law enforcement and the career ahead. As a public safety officer, Caitlyn completed a two-week academy, trained on a bike, patrolled the boardwalk and helped officers by serving as “the first eyes and ears” when large crowds or incidents developed.

“It was honestly one of the best experiences I've ever had,” she said.

The first organization she joined was volleyball club, which at the time was a small group of students who simply showed up to play. By her senior year, the club had grown enough to compete at nationals.

“I really pushed for the club to become bigger,” Caitlyn said.

That role came full circle when graduating students thanked her for helping make volleyball club part of their PennWest experience.

“That was when I was like, ‘Wow.aybe I can lead people,’” Caitlyn said.

It reminded her that leadership was not just about being involved, but about helping others see the best version of themselves.

Her leadership was also shaped by the people who welcomed her first. She credits Darrek Harshberger, a student leader she met early in her college experience, with helping her see what campus involvement could become.

“I always just wanted to become that person for people,” she said. “I wanted to be like sort of how Darrek was for me.”

Now, as a commencement speaker, Caitlyn hopes to share a message rooted in growth. College brought challenges, including a broken foot and other difficult moments, but each one pushed her forward.

“Eventually you are going to learn that your life is what you make of it,” she said. “So take risks while you can if you ever want to have be rewarded with the life that you've been dreaming of since you were a little kid.”

After graduation, Caitlyn plans to move to Ocean City, Maryland, where she will begin her path toward becoming a police officer. Her PennWest experience gave her more than a degree. It gave her the confidence to lead, the support to grow, and the community that helped her see just how big her world could become.