Student Government Association (SGA) members Maddie Todd and Josie Huyard, a historic campus duo, stepped into their roles as the first women to act as student body president and vice president with a heart to serve through outreach.
For Todd, Liberty University was the school of her dreams since eighth grade after seeing Convocation on YouTube. She got involved with Liberty’s SGA through the Events Team. After serving at events such as tailgates and tabling, the director of the Events Team position opened. Todd initially was not going to apply for the position, but after encouragement from a friend, she did.
“So, I totally just thank the Lord because if I wouldn’t have done that, I wouldn’t be here now, and it’s a testament to his goodness and that everything is part of his plan, and truly not mine,” Todd said.
Through that opportunity, Todd ran for student body president with Huyard. As president, Todd is using the skills she learned as president of her high school’s student government and director of the Events Team to create traditions and community-building opportunities that will benefit students for years to come.
The end goal for SGA, according to Todd, is to build community and fellowship among the student body. She wants to ensure that students are growing professionally and spiritually to make an impact on the school in the future. “So truly our goal is outreach, how we can best serve the student body, make it better and bring people together and give them great opportunities,” Todd said.
Huyard’s experience stepping into Liberty was monumental for her family. Her parents grew up on farms and became successful entrepreneurs without going to college. Huyard’s mother also served in local politics.
Through watching her parents start their own businesses and seeing her mother pursue a political career, Huyard was inspired to major in politics & policy.
“I want to work hard, and that’s my biggest thing: work hard and make a difference,” Huyard said. “I learned that from my parents, and I’m so blessed by them.”
As a first-generation student looking to take advantage of all the different opportunities Liberty offers, Huyard got involved in a variety of clubs.
“I was so eager to do everything that I could immediately because I’m first-generation, so I wanted to try to make it worth it and do everything that I could,” Huyard said. “So, I scheduled club meetings every single day of the week, so I could figure out what I wanted to get involved in.”
Huyard was first involved in SGA as a house representative. After serving in the House of Representatives for two semesters, she ran into Adam Diehl, former director of student outreach, on a bus. Through an encouraging conversation, Diehl told Huyard he would put in a good word for her when she applied for director of Student Outreach.
“I think close to like 15 other people applied, but it was a blessing, really a God thing, that happened with that, that Adam was sitting in front of me because I got the position then,” Huyard said.
As Todd and Huyard are starting off this semester, they are looking at practical ways to build the cabinet teams.
“How can we start first internally making events the best they can be, making outreach the best it can be?” Todd said. “Clubs — how can we refine it so that we get as many students involved as possible? So right now, we’re really focused internally to make sure SGA is the best it can be and thriving, and then we’ll start and use them to reach students.”
Additional policies the administration is looking to pursue align with the core values of outreach and community. One initiative they are considering is improving David’s Place to provide spots for students to gather on Campus East for hall events and other community-building activities.
With community and outreach in mind, Todd and Huyard encourage students to visit the SGA office on the third floor of the Montview Student Union to talk to them and others working for SGA, and to use it as a place to study and build community with others.
For more information about SGA, visit www.liberty.edu/students/sga.
Twitchell is a feature editor for The Liberty Champion.