Ellie Herndon

"I never imagined that I would end up as an MSU bulldog, but I am so grateful that I did. Growing up an Ole Miss fan, Starkville was not somewhere that I frequented, but it took one visit during my senior year of high school to convince me that Mississippi State was going to be my home for the next few years. In fact, I was so drawn to Mississippi State because of all the opportunities that existed on campus and in the surrounding Starkville community. Starting off my freshman year during the fall of 2020, college life looked a little bit different than I expected. I knew that despite the challenges that came with COVID-19, I wanted to make the most of my college experience, so I put myself out there to be a part of the Student Association in our freshman branch. It was my first acceptance letter of college, and those Wednesday night meetings were something that I looked forward to each week. I was so drawn to be a part of the Student Association because it felt like an organization that provided a unique, well-rounded experience of involvement. From working with faculty and administration to making changes on campus to planning events for our annual Homecoming celebration to getting to swag surf in Davis Wade Stadium with Dr. Keenum, the Student Association opened so many doors for me. At the end of my freshman year, I was accepted to be a part of our Cabinet in which I served as a Director of Community and Governmental Relations. We were able to help students get registered to vote, help advocate for a polling place on campus, and most importantly, serve the student body and advocate for the needs of students. In the spring of my sophomore year, I campaigned to be and was elected our Student Body Treasurer, and the following spring, I was elected Student Body President. This was our first year with our ticket system, in which our SA President and Vice President ran on a ticket together, and we are extremely proud and excited to serve as the first all-female President and Vice President duo. From not thinking I would even be a student at Mississippi State University to becoming the Student Body President at Mississippi State University has been the most incredible opportunity I have ever received. Throughout this year, I hope that I and the Student Association can continue to give back to the university that has given us so much!"