Kaleigh Weidman

Political Science, History, and Legal Studies Major

Kaleigh Weidman, ‘27, discovered a passion for history during her high school years in Danville, Indiana. It was there that her teachers introduced history in a new light – through a contemporary lens. They posed questions that shifted her thinking: “How did we get here?” and “How has the past shaped our present?”

These thought-provoking questions didn’t just challenge the way Weidman viewed history; they sparked a newfound interest in diving deeper into the past to understand the present – and the future.

When it came time to decide where she would go to college, Weidman was drawn to Indiana State University. The medium-sized campus felt like the perfect environment – a place where she could be part of a close-knit campus community while exploring a variety of passions.

For Weidman, a first-generation college student, the more difficult decision was picking just one major. She had three interests: history, political science, and legal studies. “Why not major in all three?” she thought to herself.

So, she did just that.

“Indiana State is a good place to find opportunities and discover your niches,” Weidman shares. “My academic programs are small, so I’m able to know my classmates really well. We work together. We don’t compete against each other. We have the same goals, and we cheer each other on.”

Weidman’s dedication to her education is exemplified by her involvement in the Honors College, where she enjoys the benefits of smaller class sizes, personalized research opportunities, and meaningful experiences outside the classroom. She has especially appreciated two Honors courses – one on gender studies and another that delved into the cultural fascination with conspiracy theories.

“The Honors College is expanding my knowledge even beyond my classes. I’m surrounded by students who are equally driven to pursue their degrees,” Weidman says.

The Sycamore didn’t waste any time before joining student organizations. She joined Indiana State’s chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, and she is involved in the Alliance for Disability Awareness. In addition, she traveled to Puerto Rice as part of a service-learning trip, helping to repair homes damaged by hurricanes.

As the Director of Inclusive Excellence in the Student Government Association, Weidman works to create a more open and well-rounded campus community. Additionally, she serves as the features editor for the Indiana Statesman, Indiana State’s student newspaper. In her role, she writes feature stories about important events and news on campus and in the Terre Haute community.

“It’s great to always know what’s going on around campus. I get to meet so many people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise,” Weidman says.

In March, Weidman traveled to New York City with other Indiana Statesman staff to attend the College Media Association’s David L. Adams Apple Awards. While there, she accepted the award for “Best Yearbook Spread” for her coverage of the annual Polar Plunge event in Terre Haute.

Outside her academic and extracurricular endeavors, Weidman founded Our Time for Change, a nonprofit focused on civic education. Through this initiative, she empowers individuals to better understand politics, Supreme Court briefs, executive orders, and the importance of voting. She offers unbiased explanations of legal jargon, and she encourages healthy discussions about politics – even amongst those with differing viewpoints.

“It’s so important to have conversations about politics,” Weidman says. “I want to make it easier for people to engage in these discussions and understand the issues that affect them before an election.”

As a political science major, she knows firsthand the importance of understanding politics. She reviews current political issues so she can explain political news to her peers.

“If you’re going to take a stance [on politics], you need to understand why you feel the way you do. It can be somewhat daunting to learn about politics, so that’s why I want to answer questions and have conversations with people,” Weidman expresses.

Her commitment to civic engagement doesn’t end at Indiana State. She is gaining hands-on legal experience in criminal and family law through an ongoing internship with Kania Law, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, Weidman assists with legal reports and delves into the intricacies of the justice system. This internship, she believes, is helping her pave the way for her future law career. After graduation, she plans to attend law school, driven by her passion for political discourse and civil and human rights.

When Weidman reflects on her college experience so far, she is confident she made the right choice in attending Indiana State. She comments, “At Indiana State, you find your community, and the professors care about your success. You’re pushed out of your comfort zone to try something new. I’ve found my purpose.”

Weidman’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: her drive to make a positive impact is unwavering. Whether she’s educating voters or preparing for a future in law, she goes ALL IN to shape the world around her – at Indiana State and beyond.