For the first time, TCU’s Student Government Association is led by an all-female trio of student body officers.

Paige Shiring, student body president, said her role has been “one of the most rewarding experiences of TCU.”

The senior finance major said that a women-led team brings a different approach to problems and that shared experiences as women allow for efficiency and thorough communication.

“This all-female leadership is just one more step toward diversity and inclusion that TCU needs,” said Gabby Douthitt, treasurer. “I hope that our service as women brings more students of color, students with disabilities and just diverse students in general into leadership roles where they can advocate for the things they are most passionate about.”

Paige Shiring, SGA president, spoke at the 2020-21 convocation. Courtesy of the TCU Office of the Provost

“Part of it is simply history,” said Douthitt, a junior majoring in economics and writing. “For the longest time women didn’t take up leadership roles due to cultural obstacles and now it’s finally changing. As women watch others take up positions and lead others, they also become inspired to do the same.”

These leading ladies have impressive goals set for TCU. Liliana Ogden, vice president, said her position goals revolve around three main themes: mental health, transportation and the campus’ diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Currently, TCU is leading in its mental health resources for students,” said Ogden, a junior majoring in economics and finance. “However, the problem a lot of the time is spreading awareness about these resources and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”

Current mental health projects include providing magnets listing resources to all campus dorm rooms and teaming up with Joyages, a mental health organization, to provide mental health apps to all TCU students.

“As of right now we are the only college working with [Joyages] and might be one of the first (or the first) to have an app like this for students,” Ogden said.

As SGA continues to tackle issues that are important to the students it represents, the three women bring new methods, mindsets and ideas to the table.