I was a White House intern with Monica Lewinsky. As a college president, she inspires me to be better. (Opinion)
“I regret that I blindly defended the president — a man with immense power — and said nothing in support of Monica, who was my peer. I didn’t understand yet the importance of spea…
In the summer of 1995, I was finishing my junior year at Colorado State University, majoring in political science, when I landed a coveted White House internship. Until then I had only lived in Colorado and Wyoming. Like many college students then and now, I was wide-eyed and thrilled to be embarking on such an adventure. Working for the president of the United States in the White House seemed beyond my wildest dreams.
Never could I have imagined that I would draw decades of strength and inspiration not from the man sitting in the Oval Office, but from a 22-year-old fellow intern whom I never spoke to.
I moved into a dormitory at Georgetown University filled with interns from all over the country. We soaked up Washington D.C. like it was magic–humid nights at Dupont Circle, special tours of the Supreme Court, and — for those of us with a borrowed or a fake ID — a buzzing bar scene in Georgetown. Some moments seemed surreal: Jimmy Buffett played at President Bill Clinton’s birthday party on the South Lawn and George Stephanopoulos wandered the West Wing, alongside me.
I couldn’t have known that another young woman in that same intern class, Monica Lewinsky, would be at the center of one of the most searing political scandals of our generation. Nor could I have predicted that she would later go on to become one of the most powerful public voices on shame, survival, and truth-telling in modern American life.
And, I surely didn’t imagine that her journey would teach me important lessons that I would deploy decades later as president of the university I was then attending.
When the scandal broke more than a year later, the media sought out all of the former interns. While I turned down media invitations, eventually a Denver Post reporter found me at my apartment and interviewed me. I was in over my head, inexperienced, and said things that later appeared in the paper in ways that made me cringe.
I regret that I blindly defended the president — a man with immense power — and said nothing in support of Monica, who was my peer. I didn’t understand yet the importance of speaking up or the cost of remaining silent.
But my regret has shaped so many leadership decisions I’ve made since — in law, business, and now in higher education.
Today, as president of Colorado State University and a mother of two daughters — both college students, at CSU, about the same age I was that fateful summer — I think often about the weight of those days and the lessons I carry forward. I lead young people navigating a world even more complicated and exposed than mine ever was.
Monica wouldn’t remember me, I was just another intern in the crowd. But in my own way, I’ve stayed close to her, watching her rise with courage and purpose in the decades that followed, teaching me, and so many of us, invaluable lessons that cut across all politics:
First, speak up early — especially when it’s uncomfortable. In the early days of the scandal, very few people spoke out for Monica. I wasn’t one of them. Monica has since spoken publicly about the silence she faced: “It was easy to forget that ‘that woman’ was dimensional, had a soul, and was once unbroken.” Now, as a leader, I recognize that it is my responsibility to speak up quickly when I see someone being diminished, mistreated, or misrepresented — especially if they don’t yet have the voice or position to do it themselves.
Second, power dynamics always matter. Monica has said it plainly: “Any abuse of power, even consensual, is wrong.” That’s a hard truth — and an essential one in leadership. Whether in the White House or on a college campus, power is not evenly distributed. We must work to understand and actively address those dynamics in classrooms, in boardrooms, in our policies, and culture.
Third, lead with empathy before judgment. After enduring decades of public scrutiny, Monica has become an advocate for others who’ve experienced trauma, harassment, or shame. She reminds us that “Shame cannot survive empathy.” That simple truth has shaped how I work — with students, staff, and with myself. Leaders must make space for complexity, for second chances, and for listening deeply before passing judgment.
Finally, protect people’s humanity — especially in the digital age. In a time when social media can amplify cruelty, Monica has become a powerful advocate for compassion and mental health. She’s described herself as “patient zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale.” It’s a cautionary tale for all of us, especially those responsible for helping young people.
But, these aren’t lessons only for the young. They’re for anyone who steps into public life — particularly women. In my career, I’ve experienced personally and watched others endure the sting of online cruelty, unfair scrutiny, and the dehumanization that still pervades public discourse. I fear that this kind of harsh, personal criticism will keep too many young people from putting themselves forward for leadership, public service, or even for opportunities where their voices can be heard.
Setting aside all politics and all opinions about the various characters involved in the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, I think we can all agree that we need our best and brightest young people willing to run for office and take on public leadership roles. There is much that they, and we, can learn from Monica’s journey and how over these decades she has turned pain and regret into power. Her courage and resilience make it easier for others — including me — to show up fully, speak out early, and lead with empathy.
I hope my daughters — and every student who walks across our great campus — will learn these lessons earlier than I did. I know from experience that they have no idea of the powerful lessons they may learn from a fellow student sitting right next to them.
Amy L. Parsons is the president of Colorado State University.
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
Tottenham Hotspur have a new head coach but one of their biggest players appeared to be keen to divert the focus elsewhere
Read more >> : Cick here
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Thomas Frank has revamped Tottenham’s backroom team after being appointed as the club’s new manager.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
EastEnders fans were over the moon when it was reported Michelle Ryan would be reprising her role as Zoe Slater, as they think they've 'worked out' her return storyline
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed from a Homeland Security press conference led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The series stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro as father-daughter CIA operatives
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
talkSPORT.com has all the latest news, views and reaction from the world of football. Tottenham have officially announced that Thomas Frank has succeeded Ange Postecoglou as their new manager. Mean…
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Thomas Frank has signed a contract until the summer of 2028 as Tottenham head coach after leaving Brentford
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Liverpool and Manchester United to battle for Osimhen? | Leverkusen in for Quansah? | Milan keeping tabs on Zinchenko?
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Twenty One Pilots have shared a brand-new single, 'The Contract', from their upcoming album 'Breach'. Listen here.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A US senator from California, Alex Padilla was bundled out of a news conference being held by President Donald Trump’s homeland security chief, Kristi
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Next week's spoiler pictures!
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Dua Lipa confirms her engagement to Callum Turner and shares heartfelt details about the proposal and their future together.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
No one knows what lies ahead Friday for Ryan McCormick and James Nicholas, but right now they are contenders after Day 1 of the U.S. Open.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Former MTV VJ and TV host, Ananda Lewis,has passed away at the age of 52, after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Tottenham have confirmed Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou's replacement and shortly after his appointment Cristian Romero posted a heartfelt message about his former boss
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Twitter (X), Inc. was an American social media company based in San Francisco, California, which operated and was named for its flagship social media network prior to its rebrand as X. In addition to Twitter, the company previously operated the Vine short video app and Periscope livestreaming service
Twitter (X) is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 619 million monthly active users worldwide. One of the most exciting features of Twitter (X) is the ability to see what topics are trending in real-time. Twitter trends are a fascinating way to stay up to date on what people are talking about on the platform, and they can also be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals to stay relevant and informed. In this article, we will discuss Twitter (X) trends, how they work, and how you can use them to your advantage.
What are Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are a list of topics that are currently being talked about on the platform and also world. The topics on this list change in real-time and are based on the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be localized to a Worldwide country or region or can be global, depending on the topic's popularity.
How Do Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends Work?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are generated by an algorithm that analyzes the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. When the algorithm detects a sudden increase in tweets using a specific hashtag or keyword, it considers that topic to be trending.
Once a topic is identified as trending, it is added to the list of Twitter (X) Worldwide trends. The topics on this list are ranked based on their popularity, with the most popular topics appearing at the top of the list.
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be filtered by location or category, allowing users to see what topics are trending in their area or in a particular industry. Additionally, users can click on a trending topic to see all of the tweets using that hashtag or keyword.