Holly Biesinger Tripp, a recent graduate of Southern Utah University, boasts a range of academic accolades, culminating in earning College Valedictorian.
Now, with her sights set on law school and a career at a top firm, Tripp’s story shows what’s possible when you persist, stay curious, and ask yourself a simple question: “Why not me?”
Busy Making a Better World
Besides being named College Valedictorian and delivering the commencement speech at graduation, Tripp also earned the Outstanding Student in Human Values award, as well as a range of other accolades and achievements.
She gave a TEDx talk and participated in the Days of '47 Royalty, an event celebrating Utah’s pioneer heritage, for which she was chosen to attend due to her dedication to community service and academic excellence. She presented research at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research and co-presented with one of her professors at the National Art Education Association's conference in Minneapolis.
As a double major, she earned degrees in art education and history, with minors in art history, illustration, painting/drawing/printmaking, and history teaching. She also completed the Grace A. Tanner Certificate in Human Values, embodying our mission of building leaders who make a better world.
All her dedication recently paid off: she has been accepted to Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School as an Achievement Fellow on a full scholarship.
Dream Big Against All Odds
Tripp’s biggest tool for success? Persistence, and believing in yourself no matter what.
“There were so many times I was told I was doing too much or working too hard for no end,” she says. But instead of backing down, she leaned in, applying for opportunities even when they felt like a stretch. “Whenever something came up that I was interested in, I would apply, even for things that I didn’t think I was qualified for.”
That willingness to try things outside of her comfort zone opened unexpected doors, ones that may have stayed closed had she waited until she felt “ready.”
Having bold role models also helped push her forward. She names White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as a leader she admires. “As a young woman who dreams of a large career myself, it’s inspiring to watch Ms. Leavitt balance a prestigious career with her family life at such a young age.”
With lofty goals, a belief system to achieve them, and unwavering persistence, Tripp is ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.
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Shifting Your Mindset to Achieve Your Goals
Tripp’s long-term goal is clear: to work at a large law firm and climb the ladder to partner. And her strategy is as sharp as it is driven.
“With a goal of a prestigious law career in the future, I know I need to do awesome in law school,” she says. “I plan to continue to seize every opportunity I can while pursuing excellence in my academic studies.”
Excellence wasn’t always something that seemed achievable until she learned how to shift her mindset. One phrase that entirely changed her perspective — and helped unlock her potential — was: “Why not me?”
“I used to limit myself to what I thought I was capable of. ‘Why not me?’ was a question that fundamentally changed my outlook… I was shocked at how many doors began to open once I removed the mind block of, ‘I am not good enough.’”
For Tripp, the takeaway is simple but powerful: Don't disqualify yourself before you've even started.
Holly’s Advice for Future Leaders
Tripp has found inspiration through the NSLS Speaker Broadcasts, particularly for how they demonstrate just how different every leader’s path is to success. This only sharpened her focus and reminded her how success comes to anyone with drive.
“I loved listening to the NSLS Broadcasts,” she says. “The stories of different leaders made their successes seem obtainable for me. They were bits of inspiration that taught me to work harder for the things that I wanted.”
That real-world insight, paired with her determination and natural curiosity, helped her build her own version of leadership, one rooted in purpose and in seizing opportunities.
“Leadership is opportunity. Having a leadership position is a platform to accomplish and change things. Being a leader is only as important as the things you choose to do as a leader.”
Her advice for others looking to grow as leaders is all about raising the bar on one’s expectations. “Don’t limit yourself. You never know what you are capable of until you try. Seize every opportunity that is available to you.”
And if you're ever tempted to question whether you're ready or worthy, just ask yourself the same question she did before achieving so much:
“Why not me?”
Holly Biesinger Tripp isn’t the only NSLS member looking to the law as an avenue to flex their leadership muscles. See how a top law student from the University of Alabama uses perseverance as fuel to reach her goals.
