A Plan for Success
Ashley Ross knew exactly what she wanted from the first moment she stepped foot onto the UCA campus. “I knew that I wanted to run for president of [Student Government Association] my freshman year, and it’s something that I’ve been working toward for the past three years.”
Ross became freshman class representative, procured a promotion to freshman class vice president, ran for junior class vice president during her sophomore year and became SGA president during her senior year.
Ross’ positive attitude, as well as her many supportive friends, helped her achieve her goal. “Campaigning isn’t just a two-week long process. It’s really about the opportunities that you take throughout the years. I made a lot of friends, made a lot of connections, and was very social through college. I had a lot of help and support during elections,” said Ross.
Her support team now includes the SGA executive team: Zach Carter, executive vice president; Bryce Crabb, vice president of operations, and Corey Parks, vice president of finance. “This is the most incredible team I’ve ever worked with on SGA. They’re extremely dependable and they make themselves available to help at all times. I’ve really been impressed with them and I want UCA students to know how great this team truly is.”
Ross is also a member of the Panhellenic Council, a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, a volunteer student leader with the Student Orientation Staff, and a former member of ideal Freshman Leadership Team.
She hopes her presidency will serve as a call to action for more inclusion across all student organizations. “My presidency will have a strong focus on diversity. We want all RSOs to have equal opportunities, and not just those that tend to be in the spotlight. That has been a constant goal of mine throughout college: to be more transparent to those groups,” stated Ross. She’s also working to expand the Big Event, which is a nation-wide student-led community service project. “We want it to include more projects and really include more of the community this year.”