SMU is proud to be home to world changers, and it all starts with the moment a student decides to become a leader. We are proud here at Her Campus to present SMU’s Leading Ladies, taking charge and making a difference in the community.
This week, we had the pleasure of getting to know Anna Bender, President of SMU’s Panhellenic Council and Vice President of Programming for Student Foundation. The junior marketing major jumped in with both organizations two years ago, starting in smaller positions and working her way up.
“I think I developed a love for both organizations as I got into the minor positions, and I was passionate about both of them for different reasons so I just dove in. I had the opportunity to be innovative and be impactful in different ways,” Bender said. “The Panhellenic side is a lot about building community and inclusivity and educating. And Student Foundation, while it also values bringing the campus together, has a really fun energetic aspect because they put on programing which the entire campus gets excited about.”
Both positions also require a great deal of time and commitment. As Panhellenic Council president, Bender oversees all eight Panhellenic sororities in terms of education and recruitment among other things while working with the other four Greek councils on campus.
As vice president of programming for Student Foundation, she oversees the chairs for Peruna Palooza, Celebration of Lights, Family Weekend and the Tate Lecture series, all major staples of the SMU school year. Even so, Bender welcomes her responsibilities.
“Being a servant leader is what fuels my heart. I love doing it,” she said.
Bender insists that the people she gets to know are giving back to her more than she is providing for them.
“I love being connected to people and I love knowing what’s going on. It allows you to get to know the student body, to get to know different people and their missions and what they’re working on,” Bender said.
And with every group of people she works with, Bender is always ready to bring her positive outlook and enthusiasm to the table.
“I think there’s something about happiness – we say laughter is contagious, happiness is contagious! Bringing energy to projects and having a positive outlook and being excited about what you’re doing is what’s fulfilling.”
So it makes absolute sense that her catchphrase is “Woo!”
“I’ll ‘Woo!’ and people know that a lot of energy is about to enter the room,” Bender said.
Just two years ago when Bender started her career at SMU, she never imagined how big her roles and impact would be on her campus.
“I have always been one to admire people who are being impactful and that have the opportunity to do good and be influential,” she said. “SMU, being a very competitive environment I don’t think I ever thought I would have been chosen and given the opportunities to be where I am today.”
But Bender doesn’t take all the credit for her accomplishments so far at SMU.
“There’s no way I could do anything on this campus on my own,” she said. “Everything is a team effort and a process, it’s many heads coming together.”
Looking to the future, Bender has only one major goal in mind.
“I think that in 10 years, if I am in a place where I am bringing joy and spirit and happiness into the lives of others, I will be fulfilled. Just positively impacting other people in some way, no matter what field it is, I hope there is some aspect of doing good and bringing joy to the lives of people around me I will be happy.”
For now, while we have her at SMU, we will celebrate our leading lady and all her positivity, enthusiasm and accomplishments thus far, as well as those to come.
All images courtesy of Anna Bender