Leadership has long been a core value of Eureka College, one that many students strive for. Eureka hosts many qualified students who express their own interests and leadership values through clubs and academics. Outside of the two leadership scholarships, the Reagan Leadership and Disciples Leadership programs, students find many ways to step up on campus.
The Student Senate, Eureka’s primary student governing organization, employs talented leaders in all academic classes. Every year, elections are held, and new student leaders take their places to better campus and academic culture.
This year’s elections, held on April 14 over Outlook, allowed students to petition and run for various seats. The seat for Student Body President, held by Hayden Skaggs for the ‘24-25 school year, was run for by two candidates: sophomores Maleah Hill and Liz Wicks. Both students are heavily involved in various other clubs and organizations, prompting their decisions to run.
“I feel prideful to be a part of something so connected to the student body and so crucial for change,” Wicks stated. Wicks is currently a sophomore majoring in Political Science Pre-Law.
Outside of the Senate, both Wicks and Hill have been involved in what the college deems ‘Specialty Organizations,’ comprised of Alliance, Multicultural Student Union, and Black Student Union. These organizations work to push acceptance and diversity on campus, but have in part been lacking support from the entire student body. “As the former president of Alliance, one thing I’ve noticed with special interest organizations is a lack of engagement, making it almost impossible to spread their values,” Wicks said. “I think that by supporting each other, more can get done.”
Hill will serve as the BSU president for the 2025-2026 academic school year. “Values in my life I believe are essential in any leadership position are trust, compassion, strength, and patience. I’m blessed that these qualities describe the loved ones that surround me. I respect these qualities deeply and expect they be reflected in leaders,” Hill said. Outside of Senate and BSU, Hill is a part of the Reagan Leadership Program, and is majoring in Art and Business Administration.
Specialty organizations are essential to promoting the values of many student leaders. Student Senate has partnered with both Alliance and MCSU in hosting events as a part of their role to uplift student voices and promote individual senator’s values. “Now more than ever, it’s crucial to hold on to those values of diversity. Show inclusion, kindness, and tolerance among each other, even when it’s hard,” Wicks said.
“Student Senate works to promote diversity by giving an equal seat at the table to all students through our diverse number of representatives and our open-meetings that invite any and all students to come forward with anything that they need or with to disclose to the Senate,” current Student Body president Hayden Skaggs stated. “I love that Senate acts as a voice for the campus to assist in the support of the entire campus.”
Although strides are being made in Senate and other organizations to promote leadership on campus, there is still room to expand opportunities. “It’s important to step up as a leader on Eureka’s campus because the strength of the student body is dynamic. If more leaders stepped up, the Eureka College experience would reflect the hopes of the student body. That being said, I commend all the leaders on campus, as they work hard to provide different opportunities for students,” Hill said.
Nearly every club or organization has room for leadership positions and advancement, but still, many of these organizations may face a lack of engagement or commitment. Specialty organizations, perhaps more so than others, may struggle to host events or recruit members. Alliance has temporarily disbanded due to a lack of engagement from members and non-members alike, but hopes to return to campus in the fall 2025 semester.
The main goal of specialty organizations is to promote feelings of acceptance and understanding amongst students, especially in a community as small as Eureka’s. Student leaders with a strong set of values and ideas of what they hope to accomplish have long been working to improve campus culture, and specialty organizations fit as an extension of their efforts.
Outside of specialty organizations, Senators are involved on campus and hold other leadership positions. “Being a leader on campus can’t and shouldn’t be defined by scholarships, grades, or anything of that kind,” Wicks said. “I think that being a leader on campus is deeper than titles on paper—it’s about picking up trash you see around campus, complimenting your friends, thanking staff, participating in class—anyone can be a leader.”
Programs, leadership, and clubs on campus may seem scarce at times, but students involved actively contribute to the growth and expansion of their organizations and membership, highlighting their passion for improving campus culture.
