Sole student speaker at TEDxSUNY Oswego breaks down barriers, breaks out of boxes

OSWEGO, N.Y. — March is International Women’s Month, when many minds are focused on the influential women around us. That’s no different in Oswego.

Emma Halsey is a Senior Business Administration and Information Science major at SUNY Oswego, and the only student presenting at this year’s TEDxSUNY Oswego event. 

“She steps up, goes above and beyond, and does it all,” said April Lopez, Assistant Dean of Students and Halsey’s volunteer supervisor.

It’s safe to say Halsey has made her mark on campus. She was the 2024-2025 Student Leader of the Year, and serves as the president of the Asian Student Association, and founder and president of the Data Club. 

She’s also involved in the Society for Human Resource Management, Women in Business, and Women in Computing. 

Outside of her busy campus life, Halsey currently has three internships.

“I’d say most people probably think I’m over-involved, including myself,” Halsey said. 

During her talk at this year’s TEDxSUNY Oswego Event, Halsey will discuss her experiences, obstacles, and journey from middle school to SUNY Oswego. 

“If middle school me were to look in the future, I think she would be really, really surprised.”

The platform Halsey has built for herself still comes with challenges. As a woman in primarily male-dominated fields, Halsey feels as though women in these fields deserve more recognition.

“Women were the original computer scientists,” Halsey said. “Back when computers first came out, typing was seen as more of a woman’s job as it was seen as secretary work. When computers got more advanced, women were really involved in doing the calculations for World War II, things like that…and they still haven’t gotten that much recognition.”

Despite the hurdles that come with working in this field, Halsey continues to keep herself busy, and excel while doing so. She volunteers at the campus’ S.H.O.P. (Students Helping Oz Peers) in her free time, likes to go to the gym, and spends time with her friends. 

Halsey’s story reminds women everywhere that no box, label, or expectation can keep you from success.