Amy Vida holds the title “speaker,” yet she listens to fellow University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students more than she talks.

 

Student Government Association “is the voice of the students,” Vida, the speaker of the organization’s Student Senate said. “We all work together in how life works on campus. It’s about impacting student life and academic life. It’s really important that we get the word out to tell people they have a say in what goes on here.”

 

Vida, from Slinger, Wis., started her post-secondary education at a two-year school in Washington County. However, she desired the opportunities only a four-year campus could provide.

 

“I compared every four-year school in the UW System,” Vida, an English education and family and consumer sciences with teaching intent double major, said. “Stevens Point had everything I wanted: A community climate, things to do, a strong education department and a student-focused atmosphere. It’s a really good place to get involved. I’ve been able to develop myself personally, professionally and socially.”

 

With choosing UW-Stevens Point, the only question was what she should do to get involved on campus once she got here. Some friends recommended that she try student government. It turned out to be a perfect fit.

 

“My office is always open,” Vida said. “We want nothing more than to help students. I’ve always got my nose in something on campus.”

 

Vida’s duties include organizing Student Senate meetings, welcoming guests and chairing the student government Rules Committee. It’s possible she could be speaker of the Student Senate again next year, but her ambitions are pushing her to run for Student Government Association vice president.

 

“One of my really good friends is the vice president this year,” Vida said. “The vice president is similar to speaker in that the vice president is a facilitator.”

 

So how would she recommend that other students get involved with Student Senate?

 

“Talking to me is a really good way to get involved” with Student Senate, Vida said. “We love it when people come in, especially when they have concerns. We’re really excited to see students.”

Read more about Amy in her blog for the College of Professional Studies.

 

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