Lipscomb SGA president shares vision of leadership for 2016-17 year
Lacey Klotz |
“Empowering our people, to move a campus, to bless the world.” This is what Jackson Smith, Lipscomb’s Student Body Government president, envisions for the SGA and his leadership this year.
Appointed as president in April 2016, Smith, a senior entrepreneurship and corporate management major from Troy, Tennessee, says he plans to use this platform to glorify God and not only support the student body financially, but rather with its time, voice and other resources to give back to students.
“As the SGA president, I want our student body to have a voice, feel empowered and know they are holistically supported by the SGA,” says Smith. “I also want to encourage students to see the big picture: recognizing that even though the problems we face on our campus are big; we can continually look at the bigness and realness of God, and realize how small those problems really are.
“I want to lead in such a way that encourages the SGA to put the Kingdom of God first, the student body second and ourselves last.”
Smith says he feels that God has really prepared him for this position through previous leadership roles on campus.
Throughout the past three years, Smith has participated in the SGA as part of the freshman leadership counsel and served as last year’s spiritual committee chair. He has also been a four-year member of the Tau Phi social club, a three-time quest team leader, a member of the University Wind Ensemble for two years, and during his junior year, worked as an intern for Lipscomb’s campus ministry program where he was heavily involved in the Joshua Project.
“Opportunities like being a campus ministry intern and Quest team leader, have really helped me get to know the underclassman and build strong relationships on campus,” says Smith. “So when I decided to run for president, I wanted my campaign to also focus on continuing to build those relationships with the student body. Although the election was never the reason I got to know these students in the first place, I truly believe it was a big component to why I was elected.
Smith says since coming to Lipscomb, he has never lacked encouragement from his mentors and peers, and is continually looking for ways to learn and grow through conflict and in working to encourage others.
“This role is challenging me every day, especially when working with conflict and figuring out what it looks like to be positive and encouraging to others in the process. It’s been a difficult experience at times, but also very rewarding,” says Smith.
During this year’s staff retreat, leaders of the SGA brainstormed ideas of how to better come alongside the student in a more holistic and supportive way. One way is through providing opportunities for students to share their ideas and concerns with the SGA.
Beginning this year, SGA will hold office hours four days a week in Bennett 181 to help answer students’ questions, address concerns, hear event ideas and connect students who want to get involved on campus. Office honors include 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Smith said he knows it takes a team of committed people to make a difference for this year’s student body and that he is looking forward to the year ahead.
“I’m so excited for the group of leaders we have this year,” says Smith. “Each one loves the Lord and loves this school and it is both exciting and encouraging to get to work together to make a difference in our student body this year. I could not be more excited for what the Lord has in store for SGA this year.”
Other leaders of the SGA include: Carson Panavac, a junior from Jackson, Tennessee, who serves as vice president; Sarah Lavoie, a senior from Wallingford, Connecticut, who serves as treasurer; and Vince Law, a junior from Columbia, Tennessee, who serves as secretary.
Upcoming SGA events include:
- - Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors – Sept. 30
- - Paint the Herd – Oct. 21
- - Prayer in the Square – Oct. 26
For more information on Lipscomb’s SGA visit: www.lipscomb.edu/sga.