Those who know Elizabeth Coco know that she just goes by “Coco.” Measuring just above five feet tall, what she lacks in height this woman makes up in passion and hard work, leaving many of her peers describing her as “larger than life.”

Now in her senior year, Coco can tout a large list of involvement on campus. Former Co-President of the Women’s Awareness Center, Greeter and Building Bridges Co-Chair are just a few. At present, she acts as Co-Chair to the Diversity Leadership Council, Diversity Chair for Student Senate and Student Advisor to Building Bridges.

Coco is also involved in the social justice theatre group I Am, We Are, whose most recent performance of E Pluribus Gustavus was shown during first-year orientation three weeks ago. Several members of the cast expressed their admiration for Coco.

“I know that she will follow through on her passions,” Junior Environmental Studies Major Alex Christensen said. “It’s awesome to be able to have her support and be able to feed off that.”

“Working with Coco during E Pluribus was incredible. She is unbelievably driven in all that she does and made no hesitation to dive straight into her work,” Sophomore Erica Fernstrom said. “As a senior and experienced member of the cast, she was someone I could look to for advice and guidance. She acted as a sort of rock when times got rough or especially emotional.”

While Coco enjoys all the activities she’s involved in, she describes her time as Co-Chair of the Building Bridges Conference as a highlight of her time at Gustavus.

“Having the opportunity to develop and organize a conference—pulling that off makes me feel that there’s nothing I can’t do,” she said. “Building Bridges taught me to be a servant leader and that change is possible.”

Another highlight has been her attendance of the White Privilege Conference, held at a national level every year.

“Attending the White Privilege Conference impacted both my personal and professional life. It’s like I bought a new pair of glasses and now I can’t see the world without the new lens…without seeing patterns of privilege and oppression.”

This statement operates in concert with one of Coco’s core values: responsibility.

“I value a sense of responsibility toward justice and attitudes that encourage a deep understanding of ‘why we are who we are’ or ‘why we have what we have,’” she said.

This idea of inquiry is something that Coco admires about the Gustavus community. “I really like the constant commitment to questioning…whether it’s something I learned in a class or experienced through a conversation with a friend. There’s always an opportunity for it,” she said.

Those who work closely with Coco highlight her passionate heart and work ethic.

“She’s so passionate and so involved. When she does something, she throws her whole heart into it,” Administrative Assistant of the Diversity Development and Multi-Cultural Office Laura Shilling said.

“Coco encompasses beauty, intelligence and walks the talk. No matter what the task at hand, she would be a person I’d trust to do it 100 percent. She’s an inspiration,” Admission Counsel and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment Violeta Hernandez Espinoza said.

As far as the future goes, Coco is open to the possibilities.

“I’m keeping it wide open,” she said. “The world is full of wonders and opportunities and at this point I’m waiting for whatever comes my way.” Whatever she does, she will continue to incorporate her passion for diversity and social justice.