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As president of ASUN, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s student government, Libby Wilkins has a message to any Husker looking to get involved on campus: There’s no wrong way to start.
Deciding how or when to get involved on campus can feel daunting. Wilkins tells Huskers that the first step doesn’t have to be a giant one — getting involved can start with something as simple as taking a walk.
“To me, the most important way to start feeling involved is just being out and about on campus,” Wilkins said. “If you need to study, try studying in the greenspace or at the union. Check all those emails you get and see what functions are happening around campus. Just getting outside for any reason is a great way to start meeting new people and feeling like part of the campus community.”
Wilkins wants as many Huskers as possible to seek new ways to engage their campus community and make their voices heard. Understanding the role of student government, she said, is one of the primary ways students can start to make an impact.
“ASUN is the voice of all students on campus. At its core, its mission is to make the lives of students better,” Wilkins said. “Our entire college experience can be impacted through student government, from deciding where to allocate fees to all different aspects of campus life.”
With senators and committees for each college, getting to know the representatives is a great way to understand the issues important to you.
“Connecting with your senator is crucial,” Wilkins said. “Everyone in student government wants to be approached and wants you to run your ideas by them — it’s what we’re here to do.”
Wilkins said that new opportunities, experiences and ways to connect are never going to go away.
“Even if you’re a senior, it’s truly never too late to try something new," Wilkins said. "You can join an RSO, sign up to volunteer, attend an ASUN committee meeting or anything — the university has so much to offer, and it’s always going to be there for you no matter what stage of college you’re in.”
