SPRINGFIELD – Madison Baker is glad she got involved with student government. At first, she wasn’t interested, but now she sees the positive impact and believes she can continue to bring positive changes as the student trustee.
As student trustee, Baker serves on Lincoln Land Community College’s Board of Trustees to provide the board with feedback from students and the Student Government Association.
The 19-year-old Hillsboro native graduated from high school in 2014, a semester early, and came straight to Lincoln Land Community College.
Baker worked on the Logger Activity Board at the Litchfield campus, where she served as the student club president. When she is not at Lincoln Land, she can be found playing with her dogs, watching “Pretty Little Liars” or saving turtles off the road.
She is a huge animal lover; she has four dogs. One she’s had for nine years, named Daisy, a pug named Willow and two other foster pugs.
Baker also said that her diet is mainly pizza, her favorite food.
Here are some questions that The Lamp asked Baker to learn a little more about our student trustee:
What made you want to go out for student trustee?
“At first, I wasn’t necessarily interested in it, but after talking to Leslie Johnson and the old student trustee, Jefferson (Gentry), I found out how awesome and impacting the position is. After that, I knew that was what I wanted to be.”
How does it feel to be the student trustee for Lincoln Land?
“It feels so cool to be the student trustee. It also definitely gives me a rewarding feeling being able to help the students.”
What exactly would you be doing as our student trustee?
“As a student trustee, I am the liaison between our student government and our board of trustees. I will also attend all kinds of meetings for ICCB-SAC and ICCTA (Illinois Community College Committee – Student Advisory Council and Illinois Community College Trustees Association). From these meetings I will bring back information to share to further educate and help our trustees.”
Do you think it will be fun being the student trustee?
“I think it is going to be a blast being the Student Trustee. If the last few months have been any indication of the rest of my year I know I’m going to have a fantastic time.”
What are your plans for the school year?
“My plans for the school year are first and foremost my classes. Although I am the student trustee, I am a student first. My other plans are to travel to California and, possibly, Washington, D.C., for trustee, which I’m really excited for!”
Do you feel like you will make a difference?
“I definitely feel like I will make a difference. I have a great team with me, and I know with the hard work and enthusiasm that they have we will be able to accomplish a lot!”
What do you want to be different?
“There are a few things I would like to be different. First is an increase in campus security. After seeing what other community colleges have done I know it can be accomplished.
“Another thing is to get more students involved. A lot of students don’t know about the clubs and activities Lincoln Land offers, and we need to get the word out there in order to get their involvement.”
Have you always been interested in student government?
“I have not always been interested in student government, but I wish I would have. It is such an awesome and rewarding position.”
What is your major? What is your year in college?
“I am double majoring in accounting and law. I am currently a sophomore at Lincoln Land. After Lincoln Land, I plan on transferring to Richmond University in London, where, hopefully, I can get involved in their student government.”
What are somethings you like to do?
“Somethings I love to do outside of school are playing with my dogs (all four of them), riding my bike and getting shaved ice.
“Another thing I love to do is participate in and watch pageants!
“Lastly, I love to do mission trips. A big one is I go to an orphanage in Mexico twice a year to do whatever manual labor needs to be done and, of course, play with kids.”
What is your favorite thing about college so far?
“My favorite thing about college, thus far, is all of the opportunities LLCC has given me and all of the awesome people I’ve met along the way.”
Any students that have questions or concerns can always contact Madison Baker! [email protected]
