 "Photo: Jeb Draper")
After a year as Associated Students president, you’re handing over the reins. How does that feel?
It’s a good feeling because you come into this knowing … you have one year to do what you set out to do. And that’s a good feeling because you know that you have a timeframe. And I’m very much a timeframe-type person. A lot of things come your way that you weren’t expecting. So when you look back on the year … for me, it was looking down the list of (the) things I wanted to do … and it’s good to be able to say I did this...
Reflecting back on your experiences, what do you think you did best?
The biggest one for me, personally, was the student senate. We looked into how do you bring a larger student voice to the table. That, for me, was a very big thing because Chico didn’t have that before. This year what we were (also) very, very proud of was we built a team, and not only a team, but a family. We did family dinners every month. Every officer and their significant other would come to our house and we would just have one big dinner. And it was just us as students just enjoying each others’ company.
Was there anything you wish you could have accomplished, but could not?
There’s always things that can be stronger. There’s always the student-shared government. There are so many committees and councils that … we need students to step up at large and say, ‘I’d be willing to come to this council or this committee.’ Something that we’re probably trying to make stronger is getting that student-shared government potentially … more public and more desirable for students.
Looking back, what initially inspired you to become the A.S. president?
My leadership involvement started when I was in high school. I was a part of the Future Farmers of America. When I graduated high school, I came to Chico State for one year, and during my first year, I took advantage of an opportunity that was presented to me. I worked for California FFA as a representative. And that’s where I first got a great taste of what, for me, was what higher education and leadership was like in that realm.
It showed me that I love education, that I love the agriculture industry. Why I ran for Chico State president was that throughout my entire college experience, I felt very blessed that I was able to go away and provide leadership training for people. Chico State, the entire time, was very supportive and so I felt that it was time for me to come home and get back to a place that had supported me for long.
Have you always considered yourself to be a leader?
Oh … no, no, no. I remember in my freshman, sophomore, even through my junior year of high school, I was a shy kid in the back of a classroom that would rather slam my hand in the door than have to get in front of people and speak. It wasn’t until about my senior year of high school, and then also my freshman year of college, where I started coming into my own. I’m more confident in my abilities today than I was five years ago, and I think it’s a true testament that we, as people, evolve into stronger leaders each day.
You’ve mentioned in the past that you envision working in education someday. Does this mean you plan to eventually teach others what you’ve learned at Chico State?
Oh, gosh yes. For me, it’s very important that I use the skills that I acquired at Chico.
Where do you see yourself further down the road?
In a dream world … I will have received my master’s in interior architecture and design from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. I will have received a doctorate in education. And … I would love to be an adviser on HGTV, especially on ‘Home Makeover.’ The concept of being able to help someone by simply rebuilding a home for them … to me, that seems so easy because those are talents that I was born with, and my mind works that way. (About) 15 years down the road, hopefully (I’ll) be working somewhere in the field of education. I’m not necessarily putting my finger on one specific thing, but continuing to paint this plethora of opportunities that I would love to be a part of.
What would you say has been your final mark on the university?
For me, it’s (that I was) more of an authentic leader; someone that was humble. A person that was committed to the idea of shared government. I hope that, as the years go on, that our team is remembered for constantly trying to make sure that there’s always more student voice brought to the table and opportunities for students to use that voice.
What is your opinion of the new elected officers? Will they measure up to scrutiny?
I am so proud for them. I have never felt more excited for a group of people.
What direction would you like the A.S. to take in the future?
To continue doing what they’re doing. Continue doing all the positive things we’re doing because they are such great things.
Do you have any final words for the campus that elected you?
The most sincere thank you that I can possibly give. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to show you … to show Chico State that there are truly students out there who are passionate about making Chico State better.
Evan Burt can be reached at
newseditor@theorion.com
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