News from The Mahurin Honors College

The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) is composed of scholars who lead in all kinds of capacities on campus. Some are presidents of clubs, some are founders of registered student organizations, and some even serve as members of WKU’s Student Government Association (SGA). Jenna Wells (MHC’ 25) is a scholar who does it all. In addition to her double major in Data Analytics and Accounting and her commitment to extracurricular activities, she serves as an elected official in SGA. 

Currently, Jenna, in addition to her role in SGA, is a member of Spirit Masters, a sister in Alpha Delta Pi, the photographer for #H422, a member of WKU’s Climbing Club, and a member in both the Baptist Campus Ministries and the Honors Social Planning Board. 

Jenna first heard about the WKU Student Government Association during the student activities portion of H4. H4 is the MHC’s first-year orientation retreat where first-time first-year scholars get a chance to meet their fellow MHC scholars, learn about MHC resources, and ask questionH4s, all while getting to rock climb, perform skits, and enjoy lake activities. Jenna was hooked the moment she heard about SGA. 

Her first year on the hill, Jenna served as Freshman Senator and was recently elected to serve as the 2022-2023 Senator for the Gordon Ford College of Business and Committee Head for Student Enrollment and Experience. She is responsible for representing the interests of the college, bridging the communication between the dean and SGA, and running committee meetings. 

“I would like my time as Senator of the Gordon Ford College of Business to instill policies that better connect SGA with the different college deans. Perhaps each college specific senator meets with their respective dean once a semester to discuss issues the dean sees as relevant or relieved by SGA. The connection between the colleges and SGA is very important to me.”

So how does the MHC impact a scholar’s goals in student government?

“In my experience, the Mahurin Honors College really pushes scholars to apply and explore. I know from the beginning the MHC really encouraged study abroad opportunities but also resources like the Office of Scholar Development (OSD). OSD pushes scholars to actually show up and learn how to apply for competitive scholarships, write strong statements about yourself, and hopefully achieve academic goals and opportunities. I think SGA should step in and model themselves in a similar way. I know SGA has some scholarship opportunities, but I want SGA to be more hands on, like the MHC, to help students not just know about the scholarships, but actually how to apply for them. Students get all this information thrown at them while in college, but sometimes they just don't know what to do with it.”

Jenna wants other MHC scholars to know that SGA is not merely for political science majors. It is just as diverse as the campus it serves. SGA represents and seeks to support students from all majors, backgrounds, and ethnicities. 

“I graduated in a class of 47 people, and a lot of them had the same life experiences as me. Being a part of SGA is so enlightening to me, and it is important to represent the diversity of the student body. For example, it didn’t really occur to me that some students here on campus would not have access to a laptop. However, SGA supports a computer program where students can do volunteer hours or attend extra curricular activities in exchange for computers, and I am so thankful to know about this issue and able to aid others in that way.”

Any scholar interested in being a part of SGA can attend their weekly meetings, Tuesday nights at 5:00 in DSU or follow them on instagram @wkusga. Incoming scholars can run for elected positions or join various committees. Jenna, we are so proud of you and how you support MHC and WKU students!