"see blue." #selfie: Elizabeth Myers
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2016) — Want to get to know the people behind some of the biggest student leadership positions on campus? We did, too! That's why we've introduced "see blue." #selfie — a series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. Up this week, Student Activities Board President Elizabeth Myers.
Elizabeth Myers is a senior psychology major and this year's Student Activities Board (SAB) president. From managing all internal and external factors of SAB, to grabbing a bite to eat at a local Lexington restaurant, Myers has a full, and fun-filled schedule. This semester alone, Myers will oversee the 50 events SAB will offer! Learn all about this student leader in her "see blue." #selfie!
UKNow: What is your major and what year are you?
Elizabeth Myers: I'm a senior psychology major with a minor in family sciences.
UK: Where are you from?
EM: I’m from Paris, Kentucky.
UK: When did you get involved with SAB?
EM: My sophomore year, fall semester.
UK: Tell me a little more about your position.
EM: So, I am the president for this year. My basic job is to manage the organization internally and externally, more on external side. I make sure we put out best foot forward and represent ourselves according to our core values and mission statement. I run weekly meetings and run one-on-ones with programming directors. That’s about everything I do in a nutshell!
UK: What is your favorite thing to do off campus in the Lexington community?
EM: I would probably say eat. I love to try new restaurants. My friends and I like local food, so when we get a chance we go out to eat.
UK: What made you decide to come to UK?
EM: Several reasons! It’s close to home — about 30 minutes away. I’m an only child and my mom wanted me to go somewhere close but not too close. Paris is a small town; there are two high schools. My graduating class had 53 people, including myself. So basically everyone goes to UK. I followed with the herd and came with my friends. I went on a tour and loved the campus. It was a great fit for me!
UK: Out of everything that you could've chosen to get involved in here at UK, what about SAB stood out to you the most?
EM: I went to Campus Ruckus freshman year and didn’t realize it was put on by SAB. I went to Anderson Cooper freshman year and I thought it was so amazing that students put on such a huge event. I wanted to be involved and get behind the scenes so I could see how everything worked. Knowing that it was student run is really what drew me.
UK: What is the main impact that you would like to have on SAB as president?
EM: I just want to make it better. We are already good; we have been doing this for 75 years now. I want to pick up where Olivia left off and diversify our board — majors, race, gender — and make it feel like a family. I was new when I joined but everyone was so welcoming, and I want to do that again. We emphasize that we are the SAB family and I want to boost morale.
UK: How many events does SAB offer during this year?
EM: We are at about 50 this semester. We had a couple over the summer already!
UK: Is there a faculty/staff member that has helped shape you in this SAB role?
EM: Rhonda Strouse and Courtney McCalla — they give so much support, especially when I was transitioning into this role. I went from a chair to president and they really helped me during that transition.
UK: what is your favorite event that SAB has brought to UK?
EM: They are all my favorite. I think the underground formal we did last fall was one of my favorites though. It was a new event that gave students the chance to go to a prom or relive their prom. I was on elevator duty, but just seeing everyone dressed up in tuxes and prom dresses and so excited and dancing the night away was great. After the event, there were so many questions like “Can you please do this next semester? I want to come again!” I love knowing we make an impact and it was a really great event.
UK: What is the biggest impression you want to have on students at an SAB event?
EM: I think we want them to see that they are fun so they may want to apply, and we want them to just know we are here. They know that Campus Ruckus happens, but they don’t know us. We just want them to come have a good time and make an overall good impression. I think we are off to a good start!
UK: Where is your favorite place at UK to "see blue."?
EM: Probably the library. During my campus tour I walked into the first floor and was like "Wow, this is huge!" The library in my high school was not even half the size. I can’t really study there, I’m always distracted, but that’s where we have our SAB meetings.
UK: What did you do this summer to prepare for SAB this year?
EM: I worked all summer, Monday through Thursday, 20 hours a week. The exec team was here too! I met with Sean Goheen often. We had training and retreats and I did collaboration agreements. I specifically worked with UK Athletics doing collaborative agreements because we are putting on a FIFA tournament this year. We planned for Ruckus a lot too. Work does not stop. Summer flew by.
UK: What is one event we can all look forward to this year?
EM: I would say the outdoor movies that our Pop Culture Committee are working on with the National Pan-Hellenic Council. It is going to be called Greek Park Pictures. It's something we did in the past and we are bringing it back!
UK: What is your favorite memory that you have from being at the university?
EM: There are so many! I would say it’s more of a feeling. When I first got here everyone told me how big UK was, but within the first few weeks I already knew people. Now, as a senior, I love feeling like it’s home and feeling like I was meant to be here. I was telling someone last week about how being president felt like I belonged in the position and it was meant to happen. That’s my favorite feeling — I feel like it’s safe, it's home.
UK: What is the best advice you have for incoming freshman?
EM: I say it all the time — get involved on your own time. I didn't get involved until sophomore year. I found SAB. I would say to get involved and find your home away from home and do it when it feels right to you.
UK: If you were to go back to the beginning of freshman year, what's one thing you would have done differently?
EM: Well, kind of going off the last question, I would have found SAB sooner. I want more time with it! I hear about people on the board who were here before me and I wish I would have known them. I would have started my spring semester of freshman year to just have more time with it.
UK: What is one movie you quote way too often?
EM: I love "Hocus Pocus." When it's on, my mom and I watch it together!
UK: Since being at UK, what is one thing you've learned outside of the classroom through involvement?
EM: Recently, I have learned that I need to be firm with decisions and how important that is in this role as president. I can't ask someone to do something and then be lazy with it. I need to learn that for my life as well. I am a nice, level person and recently I need to be firm with every aspect of my life — friends, family, work and class!
UK: Did you do anything particularly fun this summer?
EM: I worked all summer, so I would say probably hanging with my best friend from middle school was the most fun! She has a new son and I got to spend time with him. He's starting to walk!
UK: Are you involved in anything else?
EM: I'm ending my year with FUSION today. We are having our last meeting. I was events operations chair, so I handled logistics. Besides that, SAB has been my sole focus!
"see blue." #selfies will appear every other Tuesday on UKNow. Know a student leader we should feature? Contact Rebecca Stratton at rebecca.stratton@uky.edu to nominate someone.
UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue
MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-323-2395