AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- It is hard to believe that it has been almost a full year since Jacqueline Keck proved “We Can With Keck” when she won the election for Student Government President in a run-off. This year has been a big one for the Senior majoring in Economics, and as her term comes to a close, Keck is able to reflect on her biggest accomplishments, favorite parts of leading SGA and what it was like being Auburn’s third female president.
One of Keck’s favorite accomplishments has been in the food department, which can definitely be seen growing all over campus. Jacqueline described that when she took over after former president, Jesse Westerhouse, she got a look into his dining task force: a group of students in SGA dedicated to bettering Auburn’s dining experience.
This year, they were able to accomplish a lot, since Auburn’s dining’s contract was coming to a close with their third party food vendor. The new contract that Auburn is working on, with whichever third party the food will come from, will include everything that the students have asked for— a big accomplishment by the dining task force, Keck, and David Facteau, Executive Vice President of Initiatives. The task force has also tackled getting more of a food variety into Jordan-Hare Stadium on game days, which Keck expects students to notice going into the 2018 football season.
Another big initiative that SGA has accomplished while working under Keck is expanding the Auburn Intern Housing Initiative. This initiative, through the campus career center, works with getting students to get in touch and live with Auburn alumni families in pricey cities where they would like to intern. This allows students to have good relations with alumni, get their dream internship and save money in the process.
So far, this program is only available in Washington D.C., but it is expected to expand to more cities in the near future. “My capability as an effective leader has grown,” said Keck. “Serving as president challenged me in ways I didn’t know that I could (be challenged).”
Among many other accomplishments, Keck is definitely ending her term with a big smile on her face. “I am coupling my excitement for them (the new president) with my sadness about it (her term) closing,” said Keck.
After election week comes to a close, there is a two week transition period between the old executive team and the new executive team. This transition period includes a fun retreat for the new and old executive members, explaining their roles to the new members and helping them get into action in their new roles.
By February 25, Keck said, they will be fully transitioned. However, Keck seems excited to advise as needed and will always be there for whoever takes her place.
Keck’s term fell right at the same time that Auburn is celebrating 125 years of women in the university. This has allowed Keck to get to work with Auburn graduate and Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey, and the other past female presidents.
Keck explains that the job doesn’t have anything to do with her gender, but described that it was a fun experience to hear from the women who developed Auburn into a campus that was ready for a female leader.
Keck has enjoyed her time serving as SGA president and encourages anyone who is interested in a position at SGA to try it out. "I would just say do it! The cool thing about SGA is it takes all kinds of kinds,” Keck said, while explaining that SGA needs students who are passionate about all different parts of student life.
Keck has been a part of SGA since she began in Freshman Forum. “My favorite thing has been watching everyone develop,” said Keck. Being able to work with a lot of the same people for all four years has allowed Keck to see her peers develop in many different roles and see a lot of their great ideas come into fruition.
As her term comes to an official close in a little over a month, Keck is grateful for her experience as Auburn’s SGA president and the entire student body for giving her this opportunity. “Every vote really does matter and I am thankful for every single one of them,” said Keck. “ It truly has been such an honor.”
