By Benjamin Bosler, Communications Intern
Deciding to be involved in the Student Alumni Association was never a difficult choice for Anna Cook, current vice president of the Student Alumni Board.
Growing up in Springdale, Arkansas, Cook said she was surrounded by U of A alumni constantly. She even recalls a few memories of being on campus for games and other events as a child.
“It’s definitely a familiar place to me, in my backyard quite literally,” Cook said.
Choosing to attend the U of A was also not a difficult decision, Cook said. As high school graduation grew nearer, she knew that she couldn’t pass up the opportunities the university offers, in academics and extracurriculars.
Cooks said she credits her sorority Tri Delta for forming most of her social relationships when she first arrived on campus. It was there that she was encouraged to join the Student Alumni Association.
Upon joining, Cook said she felt immediately welcomed as she already knew people involved in the association, so it was a very natural process.
“I would say that it was always something I knew I was going to get involved in just because of the adults involved, and I knew some of the other students” Cook said.
Highlighting a key figure in her start with SAB, Cook said Nikki Anderson, 2018 Student Alumni Board president, was one of her favorite people she has served under. She said Anderson has all the qualities of a great leader and is the reason SAB is what it is today.
The Arkansas native said one of her first titles in SAB was assistant director of publicity for the homecoming committee. She recalls the experience as one of the best she could have started with, as it granted her many opportunities to create networks across campus.
Today, Cook said the current state of SAB is new and unfamiliar due to COVID-19. Normally, her role as vice president would include social media management and team morale, but due to circumstances, she is having to find alternative approaches to her duties.
“My job went from important, of course, to quite literally the most important thing we could do during COVID, just because things are so inconsistent,” Cook said.
Cook said because of these changes, it’s going to be vital to bring in other members to collaborate and maintain positive outlooks.
Now more than ever, Cook said having a strong support group could not be more important to the Student Alumni Board. Though it will be a challenge, Cook remains eager to take on the job.
“I want to really work to remind the student body that we really have things that not even COVID-19 can take away,” Cook said.
