James O'Dell knew early in life that he needed more than a degree from his college experience. He needed to become the kind of leader his future would demand.

“I knew coming out of high school that to get to where I wanted to be, I had to become a leader,” James said. That clarity has shaped his PennWest journey.

Originally from Oil City, Pennsylvania, James chose PennWest Clarion for reasons that went beyond location. Through Upward Bound, he had already built a connection to campus and, as he puts it, “kind of grew up on this campus.”

Familiarity mattered, but so did the kind of experience he wanted. A smaller campus meant more chances to step in, take responsibility and grow. As a first-generation college student, James had something to prove.

“That chip on my shoulder came from being a first-generation student,” he said. “I feel a strong sense of urgency to make something of that.”

At PennWest, he has stepped outside of his comfort zone and said yes to opportunities that push him forward.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management Studies and as a member of the Honors Program, head manager for the men’s basketball team and team leader in the PennWest Leadership Academy, James has built a college experience around action. At Clarion, leadership has not been abstract. It has been practical, visible and rooted in real responsibility.

PennWest Clarion Athletics has been a major part of that growth. In working closely with the men’s basketball program, James has learned what leadership looks like in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. He admires the coaching staff’s “transformational leadership” style and their ability to guide others with purpose. Through the President’s Leadership Academy, he has expanded those skills even further, building connections across campuses and learning how communication and networking shape success beyond college.

James already knows where he wants that path to lead. After graduation, he hopes to manage equipment for a professional sports team, a role that requires organization, communication, and the ability to lead under pressure. PennWest has helped him start to build all three.

"Here at PennWest Clarion, I'm learning how to lead groups of people, I'm learning how to lead under stress, I'm learning how to make plans and execute them," he said.

Here, James is not just preparing for a career in sports. He is becoming the kind of leader who can step into demanding situations, make people better and keep moving forward with purpose.