Get to know the SGA president being sworn in Wednesday

The former vice president of Student Government Association finally had time to calm down after last week’s whirlwind, which resulted in her unexpected ascent to SGA’s presidential role. Chloe Anagnos, a junior, said the feeling of being student body president and representing students is humbling.

“There are a lot of people on campus that are very qualified,” she said. “It’s humbling that my slate was elected, [and I came to be vice president]. I didn’t want to move up this way, but I am.”

A REGULAR STUDENT

“If you can’t tell from my last name, I come from a big, fat, Greek family,” she said.

Anagnos is from Elkhart, Ind., where her family owns several restaurants, where she has worked as a server.

Her love of food takes her to Puerto Vallarta three or four times a week.

“I’ve learned throughout college [that] you have to find a good way to relieve stress,” she said. “For me, it’s either working out or eating a lot. I’m Greek; I like to eat.”

Anagnos said she also likes to read or watch movies, “just like any other student.”

She’s the corresponding secretary for her sorority Alpha Omicron Pi as well as the sweetheart for Phi Kappa Psi.

Anagnos said her ambition drives a lot of her involvement and success, but her parents’ encouragement is also a large part of that.

“My parents are very active in my life,” she said. “They have always been very active in my education. They always told me you can do anything you want to do if you are being the best possible version of yourself.”

She is a journalism and telecommunications major and a leadership studies minor, but Anagnos said all of her involvement during her time at Ball State led her to develop a passion for leadership in higher education.

After graduation, Anagnos is considering Teach for America, a program where graduates teach in low-income communities. She also is considering working toward being a dean or provost in the future.

BECOMING A LEADER

Anagnos had limited experience with SGA up until her position as vice president. She served as a senator during Fall 2012 on the committee for student services and parking subcommittee.

She said her other leadership experiences, like serving as class president her junior and senior year of high school, being an ambassador for Excellence in Leadership and her leadership studies minor at Ball State, have helped prepare her for the position.

Approachability is one of the traits she said defines her evolving leadership style.

“I don’t know how to define my leadership style,” Anagnos said. “I’m very personable, I love to talk. I actually lose my voice a lot because I love to talk. I can relate to people and I’ve been told I’ve been a good listener.”

Jennifer Jones-Hall, SGA adviser and director of Student Life, said she thinks Chloe will adjust well to the new responsibility.

“What I love about Chloe is that, yes, she ran for the vice president — and so she knows that very well — but she is the type of person [and] leader that can step into any situation,” Jones-Hall said. “She has poise. She’s just got a presence about her. I feel confident.”

Alyssa France, who will become vice president, said she helped Chloe learn the ropes since she is newer in the Senate.

“We have fun spending time together in the office, we’re able to laugh and get work done,” France said. “Chloe and I have always been able to communicate well, talk through things, get on the same page and have a united front. I think that is going to be key moving forward.”

STAYING BALANCED

Anagnos said she always has been studious, but she has had to “mellow out” on her grades in college in order to maintain balance in her life.

“It’s stressful,” she said. “Sometimes, I feel like I miss out, but sometimes, my friends pull me out of the office. I’m not going to say it’s easy, but I make it work. I feel like I can balance it pretty well.”

Her time in office will switch over from her responsibilities running SGA Senate meetings as vice president to more of a facilitating role, working with administration and the other executive board members on platform points.

The SGA executive board with Malachi Randolph as president divided up the platform points so each member would have points to accomplish. Anagnos will focus on the safety platform and building relationships with other student organizations through monthly spaghetti dinners. Staying true to her love of food, she said she will cook all the spaghetti.

On election night in the spring, Anagnos said safety would be a priority during the summer. Over the summer, Anagnos said, more lighting was installed on Martin Street, and further action will be taken after Homecoming Week.

Anagnos said she interprets her new role as making her the face of the organization.

“I am supposed to be that student politician,” she said. “I am the one that’s out saying ‘Hi, I’m Chloe, it’s nice to meet you.’ [It’s] being a liaison from SGA to students and making sure they know we care about their opinions.”