As 69th president of the Memorial Student Center, business honors junior Taylor Welch is poised to carry on a long history of service to Texas A&M’s campus and community.
Welch currently serves as chair of the L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness, one of the 19 committees within the MSC she will oversee as president. Through these committees, the MSC’s programming includes conferences, entertainment and major service events benefiting current and former students as well as the greater Bryan-College Station area. As president, Welch will also coordinate with university administration, community members, former students and other student leaders to maintain the MSC’s role as an Aggie institution.
With previous involvement in MSC Fish, MSC Business Associates and the MSC Wiley Lecture Series, Welch said her experience within the MSC has given her the confidence to make the most of her time as president.
“I think being a part of the MSC has taught me a lot about service,” Welch said. “That’s something that’s really important to me, and so while it’s looked different in each of those roles, I think I’ve learned a lot about how you can make an impact on your community and I think the MSC does an incredible job of doing that through programming.”
Before taking office on April 23, Welch will work closely with psychology senior and current MSC President Annie Carnegie, gaining a practical perspective on the president’s role while learning the finer points of coordination within the MSC and across campus. Carnegie said she is excited to have Welch by her side through some of the MSC’s largest signature programs of the year.
“Taylor is incredibly intelligent, passionate and motivated,” Carnegie said. “She is somebody who looks at a situation and can understand what’s going on, what some of the external factors affecting the situation are, who to bring in to help really evaluate what’s happening. She does a great job of bringing different individuals together to work through problems. I think that is going to make her tremendously successful in the coming year.”
One highlight of Carnegie’s time in office so far was the opportunity to interview the MSC’s third president, Lamar McNew, Class of ‘53. Carnegie said speaking with him was a keen reminder of the legacy all MSC presidents are entrusted with upholding.
“There have been so many incredible people who have come before us and in that moment, speaking with him, with someone who really paved the way for what I would be doing in the coming year, I was able to have this snapshot of what it’s like to enter into that legacy and to hopefully leave something to it as well,” Carnegie said.
Reflecting on her own term as president, Carnegie said her year has been defined by the talent and dedication of the team she works with, including the executive vice presidents, vice presidents and the chairs of each MSC committee.
“Everything that that group of individuals has done has been really impactful and really good for our campus,” Carnegie said. “I’m so proud of them and it’s been a true honor and privilege to get to work with them throughout the year.”
The next step for Welch will be selecting her own executive vice presidents of diversity, programs and business, while looking outside the MSC at ongoing projects and initiatives.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know student leaders across campus and to see areas that they’re focused in and what that collaboration looks like with the MSC,” Welch said.
Carnegie said one piece of advice she will share with Welch throughout the transition is to “be bold and be grateful,” accepting and appreciating the challenges she faces along the way.
“There have been so many individuals who encouraged me or challenged me to do something that I didn’t know I was capable of,” Carnegie said. “So in those moments I had to be a little bit more bold than I typically would be, but I can look back and see how those people really helped shape me into who I have become and I’m incredibly grateful for those people.”
Looking forward to her term as president, Welch said she is honored to uphold the MSC’s legacy as a home for the Aggie family and a center for selfless service.
“I can’t even tell you how shocked and how honored I am to be able to serve in this role,” Welch said. “The MSC truly has defined my college experience thus far in the best way. I am so honored to be able to serve in a role that 68 people have served in before and that’s not something I take lightly. I’m really excited to build upon what this year’s team has done and to be a small part of what I’m sure will continue to be many, many years that the MSC does great things for not only this campus but this community as well.”