After personally experiencing the compassionate and diligent care of the Ohio State community, Selena Browning instantly knew she wanted to be a part of it – leading her to work at Ohio State and personally raise thousands of dollars toward cancer research and helping others.
As captain of Team Buckeye: Alumni and Friends, Selena oversees and helps coordinate fundraising for Pelotonia, an annual cycling, volunteer and entertainment event that inspires thousands of people to raise funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Selena joined Ohio State in 2018 as an assistant director of advancement events. She took on the volunteer position of Pelotonia team captain in her first year because she is also personally connected to Pelotonia’s cause. In 2015, when Selena’s father was diagnosed with colon cancer, he was treated at The James.
“My family felt the impact from The James and everyone who works there,” Selena said. “I left one appointment with my dad feeling that I wanted to give back.”
Pelotonia’s 100% fundraising model is what stood out most to Selena – all the money raised goes to research at Ohio State. It provides her confidence that when people donate to support her ride, it is going to something impactful.
“Everybody I know has been affected by cancer in some way, and it is only becoming more prevalent,” Selena said. “This is an organization that impacts all of us, and Pelotonia has moved the needle on treatment and research coming out of Ohio State.”
Over the past eight years, Selena has raised more than $85,000 for Pelotonia and is set to cross the $100,000 mark this year for her lifetime fundraising.
“Unfortunately, my dad passed away in 2019, but he received incredible care then too,” Selena reflected. “The care he received made me more grounded and determined, and I focus all the love and energy for my dad back into Pelotonia. I’m proud that I can help the next family and community fight their battle with more information and more medicine.”
In addition to her commitment to philanthropy, Selena’s dedication and service earned her a 2024 Distinguished Staff Award. Fourteen of these awards are given out annually to nominated staff members who exhibit exceptional commitment to the university’s shared mission and values.
Read more on for how Selena is making a difference.
How do you ensure the events you plan are inclusive?
I was the diversity, equity and inclusion liaison of The Ohio State University Alumni Association (OSUAA) Board of Directors for three years. I have worked to support aligning inclusive and equitable practices with university priorities.
I always joke that I hope DEI isn’t a thing someday because it should just be a natural habit of ours. But, for now, all we can do is be intentional. It’s looking at how we are intentionally making our events more inclusive and accessible and being conscious of every consideration. My team’s goal is to look through a lens where we constantly strive to make a more inclusive environment.
I was fortunate to be able to champion a document called the Inclusive Event Guide in partnership with Courtney Garcia of the Advancement Events team and members of the OSUAA Inclusion Taskforce, which outlines how to make events more inclusive and accessible. It provides a lens for things like how we pick a date for an event, are there any holidays we should be aware of, what verbiage do we use, what caterers are we using, and who we are featuring as presenters.
We also need to make sure we look at who our partners are and how we leverage diversity of thought from across Ohio State.
What inspires you to get involved in fundraising and service?
I’ve always dabbled here and there with causes, I’ve raised money for Make a Wish and am on the board for Fairy Goodmothers, which is a local non-profit organization that empowers Central Ohio youth.
From childhood, I knew that social change and aspects associated with it were important to me. I completed the Master in Public Administration and Leadership program from Ohio State’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, earning my degree in 2022. I truly believe in Senator John Glenn’s mission. It aligns with my personal values and belief system, which is education for citizenship and giving back.
My dad’s battle with cancer inspired me to get involved with Pelotonia. For me this is a passion point – and not just for me, but for my whole family. One of my biggest supporters, my Grandma, is now being treated by a drug developed here at Ohio State for breast cancer. I know the fundraising we’ve done helps her, and countless others just like her. I see the impact on both my immediate family and friends and also those whose paths I cross.
I love wholeheartedly dedicating myself to causes and building communities that grow into family. I was honored to receive the 2022 Association of Staff and Faculty Women’s Dr. Patricia Cunningham II Commitment to Service Award.
How do you think you can influence and lead others?
One of the biggest ways I can make an impact is by putting opportunities in front of people, whether they take them or not, and letting them find their own way, joy, excitement – whatever it might be.
The goal is never to make anyone do what I do, but to constantly live my values and encourage others to get in where they fit and find their passion. I will be supportive of whatever that looks like, as a friend, colleague, supervisor or family member.
We can plant the seed of people’s potential and watch it grow. I love to help people cross the finish line whether it’s emotionally, physically, financially, whatever – I try to be supportive of whatever you need.
What is your favorite part about Pelotonia?
That’s a really hard question, but I think I would have to say the sense of community. With Pelotonia it doesn’t matter if you ride for a different team, it doesn’t matter if you work for somebody else, it doesn’t matter – it is one goal.
We are a collective effort. Whether we are showing up at other captain or rider events, donating to each other or recruiting others, we all have one goal. We know that we are all raising money to lessen the impact of cancer in our lifetime.
There is a sense of community and support. People often thank me for helping with their training or fundraising, but it takes us all pedaling in the same direction. Pelotonia isn’t a race. It’s a ride and a journey. Through this journey I have found support and a community that I know will be there not only for me but each other as well.