Hugh Warren
After representing the University of Mississippi School of Engineering in key leadership roles, Hugh Warren felt compelled to run for the position of Engineering Student Body president and continue to work to better the engineering school.
The Madison Central High School graduate was elected last spring and has begun working with the ESB Leadership Council to plan events and discuss initiatives to help both current and future engineering students. Other officers are Taylor Maldonado of Houston, Texas, vice president; and Dustin Dykes of Madison, Alabama, secretary-treasurer.
“I love our School of Engineering and saw this role as a great opportunity to serve its students,” said Warren, a senior electrical engineering major. “I felt that my experience as the Associated Student Body senator for the School of Engineering and serving as an engineering ambassador would be of value to me in this position.”
Warren is confident that his leadership team’s outreach has improved visibility of events hosted by the ESB, and he hopes to continue that trend through the rest of his term. They continue traditions – such as coordinating the engineering tailgate – and they have hosted new events, including like a town hall meeting to hear student feedback and providing snacks in Carrier and Brevard halls during finals week.
“This year’s Leadership Council has greatly increased awareness of ESB activities, and we have seen great turnouts for all of them so far,” Warren said.
He also pointed to a large increase in applications from students interested in serving on the ESB Leadership Council as a success.
Even though a new ESB president will soon be elected, Warren is working hard to make sure that the spring 2016 semester is a success. The group still has events to continue planning, he said, noting that he looks forward to working with the new ESB officers to facilitate a smooth transition.
The ESB Leadership Council is organizing events for National Engineers Week in late February, as well as planning the Engineering Formal. The group is also planning to have a keynote speaker before the semester’s end.
Although the activities of the ESB Leadership Council have been successful, Warren realizes the semester has not been without particular challenges. In addition to serving as ESB president, he is balancing a co-op position at BorgWarner, an automotive components and parts supplier in Water Valley.
“Without the support of Taylor, Dustin and the Leadership Council, it would have been nearly impossible to manage both of these roles,” he said. He advises that any students considering taking on a leadership role weigh all their responsibilities and to not take on too much.
As commencement approaches, Warren is still uncertain of his plans. He is interested in pursuing graduate school, but he is also considering starting his own biotech company.
As the student governing organization for the school, the Engineering Student Body Leadership Council represents all seven disciplines. ESB provides student services and coordinates social and professional development events throughout the year. The group is also responsible for seeking feedback from engineering students and facilitating discussions with the administrators or faculty members.