Dylan Kowlessar / The Avion
Sophomore, BS Aerospace Engineering
"Hi, I am Lexi Robbins, and I’m from Northwest Arkansas. I am currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering. I have known I wanted to be an engineer since I was eight years old, but my passion for planes didn't come until nine years later. Growing up around Walmart Corporate Offices, I was constantly surrounded by business. Even though I knew I always wanted to do engineering, I still love the business side, which is why I became an analyst for a Walmart apparel manufacturer during my senior year of high school. I am running for this position on the board because I believe the board needs to have stronger relationships with the RSOs (registered student organizations) on campus, allowing us to help them specifically with their RSO’s needs. I would also like to improve communication between the Treasury Board and the students to give them the best opportunity to succeed."
What makes you a qualified candidate for this position?
"I grew up in the same town as the Walmart corporate offices. Both my parents worked in buying and selling positions responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars. Growing up in this environment has given me exposure to money management, how to create a budget, and how to utilize a budget. This will enable me to help RSOs with their budgets and learn how to utilize them effectively. During my senior year, my part-time job was as an apparel analyst for a Walmart manufacturer, where I was responsible for running financial reports for their business. This experience has trained me to look at both the minor details and the big picture. When allocating budgets, it is important to look at the big picture to make sure we don’t overspend the SGA budget, but it also requires a more detail-oriented approach to ensure that we are meeting the needs of every RSO."
What is the purpose of the Student Treasury?
"There are two main purposes of the Student Treasury: Budget allocation and education. The first goal is to utilize the SGA budget in a manner that is equitable to all divisions and RSOs. The second is to educate and guide the RSOs about how to properly utilize the budget we give them and help them to grow as RSOs. Both goals go hand in hand. It would be detrimental to allocate a budget to an organization without giving them the tools to effectively manage it. On the other hand, tools and guidance are not enough to allow an organization to grow if they cap out of their budget. I believe that as student treasury members, it is our job to be effective in achieving both goals. The board currently focuses more on budget allocation due to the new bracket system. However, I feel that by making stronger efforts to educate people, we could become more effective at helping RSOs utilize their budgets to the maximum capacity."
How would you define risk management, and how would you relate this skill to your position as Student Treasury Board Member?
"putting plans in place to appropriately react to bad things that do ultimately happen. Risk is inherent when managing close to 200 RSOs and divisions, and mistakes that are made, even if small, can affect hundreds of students on campus. Risk mitigation starts with members of the Treasury Board being active and present in their role while having an appreciation of the responsibility that it entails for both the RSOs and the University. Secondly, long-term thinking, using the experience of more senior members, is important to prevent issues from happening. Lastly, when an RSO begins to struggle, the Board should quickly step in from a position to help them be successful. It is the utmost goal of the Treasury Board to proactively get them on the right track before any long-term issues arise."
How do you plan to ensure the organizations you represent receive the funding they need without putting others at a disadvantage?
"It is a crucial board function to ensure organizations are treated fairly, though that does not always mean equally. The new bracket system and RSO education are two methods we utilize to achieve this. The largest current issue with the bracket system is its newness. With any new system or process, there is a learning curve. RSOs are still figuring out how to navigate the system, while simultaneously, the board is still solidifying the details around how it operates. I feel the board can be more transparent and fairer by finalizing these details as soon as possible. It is difficult for the RSOs to navigate a new system when it is changing in real-time. An additional help would be a firm list of “Do’s and Do Not's” on how to succeed in navigating the tier system. From my experience, I notice we are very clear on the requirements to advance within an RSO’s bracket; however, we are not as transparent about pitfalls and what not to do regarding the system."
