"see blue." #selfie: Olivia Senter

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 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're excited to introduce "see blue." #selfie — a brand new series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. This week, learn about the 2015-16 president of Student Activities Board, Olivia Senter.

Olivia Senter, an integrated strategic communication major from Madisonville, Kentucky, serves as the 2015-16 president of Student Activities Board (SAB). Senter was so confident she wanted to attend the University of Kentucky that she refused to apply anywhere else. She showed this same confidence when she became involved in SAB her very first semester on campus. This leader has a passion for helping others realize and achieve their goals and she uses her position in SAB to live out this passion, as explained in her "see blue." #selfie!

UKNow: Tell me about your position in Student Activities Board (SAB).

Olivia Senter: So, I'm the president. A lot of what I do is managing the organization and making sure everything we do aligns with our core values and making sure we are achieving the organizational goals we have set not only for right now, but for the next five or 10 years. There are things we want SAB to achieve that I won't be here for, but I can help lay the groundwork for! The other part of what I do is external relations. I meet with administrators to get them connected with what we are doing, other student orgs for collaboration on events as well as community members to gain insight on what other people think about SAB and what we can improve. I also share SAB stories with others so they can better understand what our role is on campus — to enrich the lives on students. Internally, I meet with directors, run weekly meetings and meet with our advisors.

UK: What is your major?

OS: ISC with an English minor. I plan on graduating in August!

UK: What made you choose the University of Kentucky?

OS: It's so cliché, but I've been to every home football game since I was three years old.  When I got here, I realized the university had so much more to offer than going to football games, like the classes, the education abroad experiences and opportunities made available to students — it's awesome! Growing up as a Wildcat, I knew UK was where I wanted to go, but I wanted to make it my home and my place where I was going to be able to figure out who I am, where I want to go and what I want to accomplish.

UK: When did you become involved with SAB? 

OS: Actually, it was my first semester. I was Traditions Committee chair. I worked on homecoming and senior send-off events in the spring. Sophomore year, I was director of public relations and I connected with UK PR, wrote press releases and handled media. Suring that term is when I applied for president.

UK: So you jumped into SAB as soon as you got onto campus! Why were you so drawn to it?

OS: I used to be pretty shy. I wanted to push myself. I thought SAB had interesting people that come from so many different places. This organization has made me more open minded and helped me to realize that this campus has more to offer than what I grew up thinking. I wanted to take advantage of those things.

UK: What is your favorite part of being president? 

OS: That's an easy one! I would say it's helping students realize and achieve their full potential. I like helping others figure out what their goals are. Being president helps me do that on a daily basis. I like pushing them to think bigger, which is actually harder because sometimes it takes a second for them to believe in themselves. I love helping people achieve more than they think they can achieve.

UK: During your time in SAB, what has been the most memorable event?

OS: I would say when Judy Smith came for Women of the World. The TV story "Scandal" is about her life. One unique thing was seeing the actual person versus the person portrayed on television. She has a family of her own, she's raising a family … but she's a superwoman! She takes on difficult cases and goes above and beyond her job description — she's intelligent, she talked about working hard and networking — I appreciated her being so open and honest! Even though she's so amazing, she was so down to earth with the students and she wanted to know our stories and help us figure out our goals. She travels the world, but here she was in Kentucky wanting to connect with our students!

UK: Are there other organizations on campus that you’re involved in?

OS: Chi Omega. I am part of the Commencement Committee. I'm a Mountain Cats pen pal in David, Kentucky. Mountain Cats is a really neat experience!

UK: When you’re studying late at Willy T., what Starbucks drink keeps you going? 

OS: A grande vanilla latte — so good! With two sugars.

UK: What’s one phrase you’re guilty of using too often? 

OS: I'll take care of it.

UK: What is your favorite thing you like to do off campus in the Lexington community? 

OS: I would say CycleYOU! I like to go exercise super early!

UK: What are three things you have with you at all times on campus?

OS: My planner, for sure! My ChapStick. My Fitbit — I wear it everyday. In our office we challenge each other. You know how meeting is going to go based on who won the Fitbit challenge for the week.

UK: Where is your favorite place to study on campus? 

OS: The area in Grehan called the Student Services Center. I used to tutor in the MC3 lab, which is in the Student Services Center. It's so quiet and there's usually at least one other ISC student.

UK: What made you decide to be an ISC major? 

OS: ISC allowed me to be my own kind of creative. I really like to write, so that was an upside! I like how you can put your own creativity and spin into what you create. I like how you can do anything with this major. It's helped me prepare for law school, as it has taught me to think critically and work in groups. The professors are so knowledgeable and have had direct experience with what they are teaching! That's what is super helpful!

UK: Do you remember your campus tour at UK as a prospective student? 

OS: No, I didn't take one! I toured zero campuses and applied to only one — UK.

UK: What advice would you tell an incoming freshman? 

OS: Find a mentor. Whether it's a professor, an advisor or even just a fellow peer or student — it's good to have someone there that will support what you want to do and that will help push you towards your goals. Definitely look into education abroad no matter your major, too. I learned so much in just a two week period abroad. That experience is invaluable that you can't replace. Also, invest in a good coat, gloves and rain boots!

"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. #uky4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett or Rebecca Stratton, katy.bennett@uky.edu or rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-257-1909/859-323-2395