Episode 24: Ash Ebikhumi

Rachel Kobus  0:10  
Welcome to Redbird buzz. I'm Rachel Kobus from alumni engagement. Today's episode is giving listeners a glimpse into the life of a student trustee as we sit down with student trustee Ash Ebikhumi.

Ash is a junior political science economics double major. He has served as president of the Association of residence halls and is an active member of the Honors Program, a peer mentor and a director for alternative breaks trips. Upon graduating he hopes to pursue a career in higher education by first attending law school. So what's the word, Redbird? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Ash Ebikhumi  0:48  
So I am a political science major. I actually dropped the economics, part of that.

Rachel Kobus  0:54  
Just kidding. It's fine. Focus on that political science, you're going to do great things.

Ash Ebikhumi  0:58  
you. Thank you. And yeah, I've been involved in Alternative Breaks. The Honors Program as a peer mentor, this semester was also community assistant. And I do plan on going into higher education. I don't know what that will look like maybe Student Affairs, maybe in general counsel, maybe maybe it's Dean of Students. But I just kind of caught that bug. Well, in my three years so far, but yeah, currently, I serve as a student trustee on the board of trustees. And it has been a very enlightening experience. 

Rachel Kobus  1:28  
I'm sure and just to be clear, our Board of Trustees for Illinois State University, eight people are chosen, or is it seven? The governor, you are the eighth, the student trustee is elected by the student body that is, right. So what me and only for one term, so then if you're seeking so Ash has already been elected for a second term, so you're Junior right now, right. And then your senior year, you'll serve a second term as our student trustee, which is exciting. 

Ash Ebikhumi  1:54  
It is, the first year is kind of I looked like he was like, You're you're learning you're growing, you're, you're understanding what it means to be a trustee. And that second year, you have an opportunity to really kind of, you know, get into your stride and like, Okay, I know what I need to do. And so I can I can do the job.

Rachel Kobus  2:10  
Yes, yeah. And you're a good consistent, I think like that two years really be a good consistent as we know, our boards changing a little bit. Yeah, governors are appointing and we have people that need to step back and perfectly fine. But it's nice to have you for that two years. And seeing that change, I'm sure helps you with what's my future look like? Exactly like this. So. So I guess that keeps me off. So what made you interested in being a student trustee?

Ash Ebikhumi  2:30  
Well, before student trustee, I was the president of the association residence halls, and I loved the impact, the intentional impact I was able to have with with my fellow students, whether it be putting on programs, hosting diversity events, really felt like I was I was serving people. And so I kind of found out about it, and a weird way through one of the Assistant Vice President, he was like, this is a cool opportunity. Are you interested in it? I was like, oh, seems interesting, you know. And so I'm political science major. So I love research. And so I just started looking at and I was like, okay, so it's a state position, you know, and but I'm elected by the students. And so okay, I watched a ton of different board meetings, just to kind of understand what was going on. And it was like, okay, I can have an impact, a larger impact on campus. If I get into this role. So I was like, Okay, I'll take it--I'll take it on. So it was March of 2021. I think that was the year I think. And I can go with that. And I ran. And I lost. Oh, all right. So yeah, I did lose. But in a weird turn of events, I got another opportunity to run again in September. And I won. And in October, I had my first board meeting. All right.

Rachel Kobus  3:50  
Yeah, I did forget you ran. And then we had situation where our student trustee, those selected went down. So they had to redo the election. So good thing I always say, there's, I'm sure everyone can understand. Like, there are opportunities that you don't want to give up you want to keep fighting for. So it's great that we have you now. And if you wouldn't have reran, you wouldn't have this opportunity. So glad you're here with us because you are an amazing I always say like, we talked to amazing people, and you are one of them. So what was it like once you found out you were elected though?

Ash Ebikhumi  4:20  
You know, I was I was super excited. Yeah, it was also super tired, because I was just campaigning that entire week. And then I was just kind of sitting down in my apartment with my roommates. And I just kind of felt the weight of 20,000 plus opinions on my shoulder. And I was just like, How can I be the voice of all these students? I just didn't think it'd be possible and I also kind of felt insecure to a certain extent because I at the time was 20 years old. The board members are--got 20, 30, 40 plus years on me. And it's like so how is my opinion could be just as valid as theirs when I had I have very little life experience compared to that. So I just kind of felt nervous, but was also excited to kind of step into it and see what I could do and be.

Rachel Kobus  5:08  
Well and with that, I mean, the difference is as student trustee, yes, our appointed trustees have the 30, 40 years of experience, but they've also been off campus for 30, 40 years. So you as students, trustee, you know, what's happening on campus. So how did that work in? You know, did you realize that, I guess at one point that you're the voice of the body that's happen--here right now. So does that work into like, how you manage trustee meetings and feel comfortable discussing, you know, what's happening on campus? Because it's you, you see everything happening every day?

Ash Ebikhumi  5:39  
Yeah, so I definitely feel like sometimes they don't know what's going on campus or the vibe of campus. So I definitely leave that into any meetings that we're having. If we're talking about certain subjects. I say, okay, yeah, this, this is what I've heard from different students. And I do my best to kind of walk around campus talk with different folks. My roommates are all involved in different things. So I ask them and say, Hey, what are your What are your friends think, you know, what do people in your, in your RSOs think about what's happening on campus or, you know, potential future decisions that the Board may may make? And so I really try to, as best as possible encompass all these different perspectives and kind of share them out. I always kind of let them know like, I'm one person. So I've got a bias. So I'm trying to remove myself from that bias to kind of give you what is the sense of campus? And I told them, they'll always be that one or two or 15 people who disagree, but you know, this is this, from what I understand this is how students are feeling right now.

Rachel Kobus  6:39  
Yeah. So did this position help you become even more engaged with the student body and learn more about ISU and its students? So I guess, how did it kind of shape you like, you have to know a lot more, I think, than even with some of the leadership roles you've held previously?

Ash Ebikhumi  6:53  
Yeah. So I before getting on the board didn't know we had a master plan; didn't know we had a strategic plan. And so I spent winter break this past winter break reading those. And I was like, Oh, this is long. And I'm like, Oh, this isn't accurate, like we are missing things here. And so I definitely have learned a lot more learn a lot about who makes up our student body, and how we serve those individuals. And it's, it's very interesting, because as a as a, an average, typical student, you go about your daily life, maybe you're hanging out with your friends, you're going to classes, you don't think about those things. You just think, Oh, I'm here for college, and I'm gonna get out and four, five, maybe six years and go out, move on with my life, where I'm like, Oh, I'm not just an average student. I'm thinking about how this university is going to succeed in the next 10, 15, 20 years. Yeah. So it is a very different perspective to have. But I enjoy it just because I'm like, oh, there's so much information. I'm always learning something new about the university. Yeah.

Rachel Kobus  7:51  
So how do you make sure you kind of talked a little bit about how you reached out to certain RSOs or tried to get yourself out there to find out what students want to know or want you to know, how do you do the opposite? How do you go back out to students to say this is the changes that are happening, this is what's happening right now. Have you seen a difference in that as a student trustee? Do you try to get out as much as possible to share what's going on in campus to

Ash Ebikhumi  8:13  
I do it is it is so hard, because sometimes the board makes decisions and you can't give every little detail about why it made it. So I tried to have intentional conversations with with folks in student, the student government association, okay. I tried to talk with my peers in the Honors Program--I definitely lean on them and they lean on me as well. You know, I tell my roommates so you know, if they hear you know, someone kneel kind of getting angry or riled up, they can kind of say, like, kind of just explain to them like, hey, you know, I actually know, you know, one of the board members, and this is why they made the decision. I really try to have intentional conversations. When I hear people talking about things about the board, I always think, okay, okay, how can I insert myself in this conversation and kind of give them the truth, but also, like, make it not feel like I'm talking down to them, because there's so much knowledge that you acquire as a board member, that the average student or faculty or staff member doesn't have, and you never want to make people feel smaller because you've, you've got a seat at the table?

Rachel Kobus  9:17  
Yeah, and you will. And again, that's a great way to put it, though, that you try to make sure that you're not talking down that you are setting an example and showing like you are the voice at the table for others who have the seat, but they are the voice for you. So I think that's a great way to discuss it. So you know, sitting at the table, then what surprised you the most about being on the board of trustees then?

Ash Ebikhumi  9:36  
You know, everyone's human, you know, it's weird to say no robot, real people. These aren't people in the sky making decisions about you, it was like these are average people, you know, they have their own meal personalized outside of their roles. And they, they really do care about the institution. You know, they're not just sitting there just making decisions and like, alright, you deal with the mess. No, they're like they're making intentional decisions, having intentional conversations about the future of ISU and the impact that it has on our students. So that's what's surprising, because I always think, oh, you know, these are just shady characters. But they're not shady characters. I love all of them. They're amazing. So that was, that was a big surprise and kind of, and they also welcomed me in, you know, they didn't treat me like, you know, I was like a child, they treated me like I was a mature adult, and that my opinion mattered. And that allowed me to get a lot of respect for them.

Rachel Kobus  10:35  
And I'm sure you know, lighten those nerves a little bit. Yeah, it's obviously a more welcoming environment. And that's an Owner Statements do in general is a welcoming environment, reduces that anxiety. So it's good to know, or even our Board of Trustees needs to be very welcoming, so that students feel comfortable talking and really sharing your opinions too. So with that, too, because you've gotten to sit on the board for a year. So what do you think has been something that you've been a part of, in all these discussions, nd all this moving forward? What's been one of the major impacts that you've had on, do you think on Illinois State as being part of the Board of Trustees?

Ash Ebikhumi  11:10  
That is a hard one?

Rachel Kobus  11:12  
Maybe it's not here yet? Because another year? Yes, yes,

Ash Ebikhumi  11:18  
I would have to say it is, my impact has just been being a steady and engaging voice. You know, sometimes you get a student trustee who maybe is just there as a senior, and so they're out in a year. So they care about their impact, but they sometimes won't see some of what their decisions brings about. I will be here for two years, and I'm really passionate about about the role and about serving the university. And they can see that, and so they're so willing to engage me in conversations, and they're so grateful for the perspective I offer. So I think just giving them you know, an opportunity to engage with someone who offers a unique perspective. And I'm also willing to challenge them on things too, like, I'm not just gonna sit there and keep the seat warm. I'm there to kind of push them a little bit say, hey, think think outside of the box. The you know, think past, you know, when you were in college, and what college is nowadays?

Rachel Kobus  12:14  
Yeah, very cool. So and then, besides impact, what's been a favorite memory, we always like hearing that, and you I'm sure in the past year have gotten to do some things you probably wouldn't get to do as a typical student at ISU. So has there been something you're like, this is this is fun. I didn't know this existed or this event has been just eye opening because I got to attend a student trustee. Is there anything that comes to mind?

Ash Ebikhumi  12:34  
You know, Jane Lynch was, is here actually. And I think two weeks ago or so I had the opportunity to--I was invited to meet her at the Ewing Cultural Manor--Ewing. And it was it was so fun. Like, I was just like, Oh, I'm gonna meet a celebrity. And in my mind, I'm like, a celebrity that's like, they they're not normal people, like how do I how do I approach her, you know, oh, my God, I'm gonna say the wrong thing. And you know, it was really cool, because she was so chill. Like, she, she just like us, like, she just she wants to have fun. You know, she jokes around a little bit. And you know, I was joking around with her. And I was like, Oh, my, this is this is so cool. I took one of my friends and, and she's just like, oh my god, yeah, she's just like a normal person. And we took a photo with her. And it was it was a very different experience. And most students don't get that. Now she is walking around campus and she's meeting students, but I was like, I got a photo with her. I got to shake her hand. I was just chatting her up. I was like, I feel cool right now!

Rachel Kobus  13:35  
you're on the same podcast that she's on--that's funny--and as a student trustee you work hard. And there are other you know, opportunities, I think that come with that though, too. And that you get to go to certain receptions and you need to be the you know, the voice but also the image for ISU. So it's nice that you get to have some fun benefits from that, too. So that's a great memory, I love and then like I said she was on this podcast, so she is a genuine human being. So I'm glad you saw the same in that. So now that you're gonna be on this on the board for another year, will you do you think once the next trustee comes in after you do you see yourself and maybe you had one being a sort of mentor? Is there a way that student trustees mentor each other? Or is that something you've ever considered?

Ash Ebikhumi  14:22  
So the student trustee prior to me, I met with her actually, and had a conversation we talked about her duties on the board. It wasn't really a mentorship but it was more of like a conversation like this is this is what you do as students see this is what you can kind of expect your workload to be she's just like yeah, you should probably take less classes because it will be a lot of work. I was like oh no, I'll be fine and then I got into like oh yeah, you were right. Less classes is a good idea.

Rachel Kobus  14:50  
Balance work life but literal work life balance, work academic

Ash Ebikhumi  14:54  
Sturgglued with that a little bit this semester, but you know, it'll, I got plans but But I definitely certainly I certainly see myself as mentoring the future student trustee, I think it is just an opportunity to kind of just let them know about the perspective that they hold that it's so unique to the board, that they really are making an impact on campus, whether they can see it or they can't see it, the board members will value your opinion, they'll respect you as long as you respect them. And you're also just let them know like they're going to the role with not as much information as everyone else at the table. So don't be afraid to just sit there and listen first before you speak up. So yeah, it'll be it'll be interesting to see, because I came about in a weird way, most of the time a student trustee comes through student government. It is a senior, typically someone has been pursued by the President or Vice President. I have never been in student government at all I was I came up through, you know, the association of residence halls, I was an alternative breaks, I was the honors program I was just engaged in. So it'll be interesting to see who steps up next to the plate, I'll certainly be looking for folks and seeing who's interested in engaging in conversations. Because I just I, I want the best student on the board, so that all students are served well.

Rachel Kobus  16:15  
And that's good to say too, that it doesn't matter what registered student organizations you're a part of, it's that you're a leader among campus. So I think that's, you're a great person to talk about this with all of our student body that student government is a great place to start. But if you've held leadership positions in other RSO is it's that's just as impactful as well, too. So making sure everyone is included, like, Oh, that's great. So what do you see? Or what do you hope to do? Next year? Maybe? Do you have any plans of how you can leave your legacy as a student trustee? [Wow, that's kind of a hard] we create a legacy at Illinois State. So the question how are you how are you creating your and maybe you'll we've talked about it, I think, but you can always reiterate how are you going to create your legacy at all my state before

Ash Ebikhumi  16:59  
creating my legacy? That is, that's an interesting one. I always think about that, too. Because I was like, you know, when will I die, Will I be 70 will I be 90? you know, how much time do I got left? I think just I want to be that person that people can come to and and share their their opinions, share their thoughts, and really be able to translate that and be a bridge towards administrators, the board; and increase transparency, let people know that. Yes, things are difficult. Yes, sometimes we get it wrong. But we are always striving to, you know, be better to progress. You know, President --Interim President Tarhule said, you know, ISU is one of the greatest, a great enterprise. And I truly do believe that and I would like to leave a legacy that continues that progress, that make sure--that ensures that we are amazing. Whether that is you know, engaging students, or whether that it's engaging donors or alumni, or just you know, having conversations with fellow board members, I'd like to leave a legacy behind that shows that I was involved, I was engaged and that is what the student trustee does.

Rachel Kobus  18:12  
Well, and we look forward to seeing you all next year out on campus, at our board of trustee meetings and making a difference for the student body of Illinois State University. So it's been great to have you Ash and thank you again and talk to you soon Yes.

That was student trustee Ash Ebikhumi, thank you for listening to Redbird Buzz and tune in next time for more stories from beyond the quad.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai