When Aaron Barker first walked into a Student Government Association (SGA) interview during his first weeks at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), he never expected that moment would begin a leadership journey spanning nearly every corner of EKU’s student government.
“Working with students who are passionate about EKU and the Campus Beautiful is one of the best parts of my job,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “It’s always a pleasure to not only get to know and work with the student body president, but also see them grow into strong leaders, who go on to accomplish great things in their careers.”
For 2025-26, Barker served as student body president and student regent, representing EKU’s student body on campus and at the university’s highest governing level, the Board of Regents. However, the path to this role began with an unexpected second chance during his freshman year.
“I didn’t even get the first position I interviewed for,” Barker said. “But when the associate justice role opened back up and I got the offer, it ended up being one of the best things that could have happened to me.”
From Greenup County, Kentucky, Barker enrolled at EKU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in leadership and organizational behavior.
He said that early experience with student government gave him an inside look at the structure and procedures that keep it running.
Also during his freshman and sophomore years, Barker served as Elections Committee chair, overseeing student government elections. As Barker continued his involvement in student government, he wanted to find ways to strengthen communication between campus leadership and the student body.
“Student government works best when it’s not just about the people in the room making decisions, but about the thousands of students we represent who may never walk into an SGA meeting,” Barker said. “Our job is to make sure their voices are still part of the conversation.”
Furthering his focus to build connections with EKU alumni and SGA, Barker founded the Alumni Development and Engagement Cabinet.
While building his leadership résumé in student government, Barker was involved in other areas of campus life, working as a marketing program assistant at the EKU Campus Recreation Center and then as an assistant in EKU’s Office of Government Relations.
In 2025, Barker’s years of involvement in SGA culminated with his election as Student Body President.
“Sitting in Board of Regents meetings reminds you pretty quickly how important it is to speak up for students,” Barker said. “If we’re not at the table sharing their perspective, those voices can be missed.”
With plans to graduate in May 2027, Barker wants to pursue a Master of Business Administration and ultimately, a career advocating for higher education within Kentucky.
“My time in SGA has shown me how much impact strong advocacy can have for students,” Barker said.
After years of involvement and impact across multiple branches of student government, Barker’s time in SGA reflects a commitment to service, collaboration and ensuring that the student voice continues to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of EKU.
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