Freshman Sandra Bilson wants to be a part of programs and events that reach out to the campus community. For that reason, she joined the Wichita State University Student Activities Council.

“The SAC reaches out to the whole campus,” she said.

Bilson has been a member of SAC since spring 2008 and is now the family committee chair, responsible for directing and leading members and planning family events such as the annual Family Carnival, which takes place Oct. 4 this year.

According to Nancy Loosle, assistant activities director of the SAC, Bilson’s position allows her to have an effect on what events happen for students, faculty and staff, and their children.

“This is such a vital part of the mission of SAC since we have so many students who have children and grandchildren,” she said.

The family committee plans events that are geared toward WSU students, faculty, their families and the Wichita community. The events are fun for children and parents, and usually include a craft project or prize giveaway.

Bilson was more than willing to take on the chair’s responsibilities. She especially enjoys seeing children smile, and said seeing people having fun makes her happy.

Loosle has worked with Bilson for four months and was immediately impressed with her organization, initiative and intelligence.

“She has quickly stood out as a leader-in-the-making in SAC,” she said. “She has a great future as a leader on this campus.”

Loosle also said that Bilson relates well to others, takes her responsibilities seriously and works hard, sometimes with very little direction.

“At first, I was shy and drawn back a little,” Bilson said. “But the SAC brought out the leadership qualities hidden inside me.”

Bilson wants to be a role model for the community and share what she has learned and the skills she has developed with the community, but she says she’s still learning.

Bilson came to Wichita from Ghana, West Africa, to major in nursing and pre-med. She chose WSU out of a number of schools because of the wide range of international students she discovered attended the university.

“I thought the environment would be very friendly and welcoming,” she said.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Bilson plans to go to medical school.

“I’ve always loved kids,” she said. “I want to be a pediatrician.”
Bilson said she is inspired and driven to succeed by her faith in God and her father, a doctor, whom she also described as a “man-of-all-trades.”

After completing her education in the United States, she wants to return to Ghana to be a doctor like her father, who passed away last November.

“They need a lot of help back home,” she said.