Scholarships and acceptance to the University Honors program motivated Bethany Skaggs to enroll at Arkansas Tech University.
She never dreamed that she would hold one of the top student leadership positions on campus, but she achieved that distinction when she became president of the Arkansas Tech Student Government Association for the spring 2016 semester.
Skaggs, a senior from Greenwood, succeeds Saul Pennington of Russellville, who graduated in December after serving as SGA president during the fall 2015 semester.
“I never thought I could be the president of an organization,” said Skaggs. “I feel a great responsibility, and it is up to each SGA president to use it in such a way that it benefits Arkansas Tech as a whole. Each president does it differently, and I want to make my mark here.”
Prior to becoming president, Skaggs held the roles of senator, secretary and vice president for Student Government Association.
“Ever since I got involved with SGA my freshman year, it has been amazing,” said Skaggs. “We do so much on campus. We host Homecoming and Wonder Week, but we also do things like work for extended library hours. We’re the voice of the student body, and we get things done. It’s a bunch of small things that make a big difference. We try to make Arkansas Tech better for the current students and the ones that will come here in the future.”
In addition to SGA, Skaggs has also been active in Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Delta Zeta, Anthropology Club, College of Business Dean’s Leadership Class and the debate team during her time at Arkansas Tech.
Skaggs is on pace to graduate from Arkansas Tech in December 2016 with a double major in economics and finance and management and marketing.
“This was definitely the best place for me, and it’s been the best decision ever,” said Skaggs. “I didn’t expect there to be this much involvement available. I know people say you should get involved in college, but I didn’t know there were this many different organizations and this many organizations that are run really well. It makes a difference, not only in university life, but in the life of the community. We do so much for the surrounding community, and I think that’s amazing.”
