President’s Q&A: Amy Sharp, Student Body President 2018-19
Leading one of the largest student bodies in the nation is no small undertaking, and as outgoing Student Body President Amy Sharp learned, the dedicated support of others is key.
Amy Sharp ’19 is in her final stretch serving as Student Body President (SBP) at Texas A&M. The senior, who studies business honors and management at Mays Business School, is graduating this spring. Before she leaves campus, I wanted to give her the opportunity to reflect on her tenure, discuss challenges and triumphs along the way, and provide a word of advice to her successor.
Michael K. Young: Congratulations on your pending graduation. What are your plans?
Amy Sharp: I plan to chase after my passion for helping those affected by substance abuse, mental illness, and poverty. So often, these issues are intertwined, and I believe our country can do so much more to help. I love to reserve my right to change my mind, but I know whatever path I choose will not be full if working to help others is not a part of it.
MKY: How would you characterize your time as Student Body President?
AS: In three words: growth, joy, and service. I have never had more fun in my life than I did getting to serve Texas A&M this year by working to make the Aggie experience even better for students. From working to lift student voices on issues related to Title IX to launching and maintaining the ‘Say Howdy to Health‘ campaign, I learned lessons of leadership more quickly and intensely than I ever have before.
MKY: What kinds of challenges were you faced with?
AS: The biggest challenge for the SBP is staying true to your original goals and ‘back-seating’ the pressing issues that come up along the way because so many issues come up on a daily basis and they are all important. You have to focus on why students put you in office and what you told them you would do.
MKY: What is the best part about being SBP at Texas A&M?
AS: Working with a motivated team to move the ball forward on issues students care about. For example, campus climate. So many students are passionate about making Texas A&M a welcoming and enjoyable place for all Aggies, but it is not something that happens overnight or without great effort. Getting to build and support a team that spends virtually all of their free time working with administration, staff, and other student leaders to reach this goal is a beautiful thing to experience.
MKY: What did you learn during your tenure that you didn’t know before?
AS: As a first-generation Aggie, I had no idea just how much former students are devoted to our school. Throughout my term, I was continuously in awe of the sheer amount of love and support that former students give, whether in wisdom, donations, or time spent back in Aggieland.
MKY: What did you bring to the position that you think was valuable?
AS: The most valuable thing I brought to the position is a cabinet that loves this school. Each person on my cabinet knows that the work they do has a direct impact on students, and the more they give, the more students get. I am lucky to get to work with them.
MKY: What is one piece of advice you would like to give incoming president Mikey Jaillet?
AS: Be with students constantly. There are almost 64,000 local Aggies to represent, and they are the ones with all the best ideas. You will get a seat at literally hundreds of tables this year, and every single time you sit down, you sit for their voices.
MKY: Who are some of the people you’d like to recognize for their help during your journey as SBP?
AS: My executive Vice President, Valentina Tovar, was truly my right hand every step of the way and I could not have succeeded without her. I’d also like to recognize Mitch Parker, the Speaker of the Student Senate, and Adam Buckley, the Corps Commander, for always being there to talk through the big stuff and laugh at the small stuff.
