麻豆短视频传媒 student Michael Weaver Jr. wears so many hats they need their own closet. The responsibility doesn鈥檛 weigh the smiling graduating senior down, however.
As one Kentucky State employee recently said, 鈥淚f I were doing any better, I鈥檇 be Michael Weaver.鈥�
Weaver recently joined an elite group of students 鈥� one of 63 students from 107 institutions across the country 鈥� as a White House HBCU Competitiveness Scholar.
As a result, Weaver is in Washington D.C. this week for the 2018 National HBCU Week Conference. The conference is part of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The conference is designed to help the scholars learn and adopt promising practices in areas such as leadership, professional development, national competitiveness and workforce development.
鈥淚 feel prepared. I feel excited,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to really showcase Kentucky State University.鈥�
Weaver said his selection is even sweeter because it鈥檚 the second time he applied for the honor. The first time around he wasn鈥檛 chosen.
鈥淚 think I better prepared myself and I had a lot of help with everything,鈥� Weaver said.
Weaver has emerged himself in activities outside the classroom while maintaining a positive and composed exterior.
He鈥檚 also the president of the Kentucky Education Association student program.
鈥淚 just ran for the position because I wanted to make a change,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淓specially with the lack of African-Americans in the field of education.鈥�
Weaver was elected and is the first African-American male to serve as president of the student program.
Part of his responsibilities includes hosting three statewide conferences throughout the school year that cover topics ranging from classroom management to the school-to-prison pipeline.
Weaver also played the role of the Tin Man in last spring鈥檚 production of The Wiz.
鈥淭hat role taught me a lot about believing in myself and being OK with being vulnerable,鈥� Weaver said.
Weaver was elected Student Government Association president at Kentucky State last spring, as well.
鈥淚 really want to make sure that this executive board and myself as president are doing things to help move the University forward,鈥� Weaver said.
With that role, Weaver also earned a seat at the table as a student regent for the 麻豆短视频传媒 Board of Regents.
鈥淚 thought it was going to be boring but it鈥檚 a lot of fun,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e really engaged and as a student you have to figure out how everything relates back to the students. I like knowing I have a voice and that it matters.鈥�
In addition, Weaver serves as vice polemarch for Kentucky State鈥檚 Kappa Alpha Psi chapter and he is part of a consortium for HBCU presidents.
And if that is not enough: Weaver recently started the SGA Presidential Proteges program, selecting 12 students for a leadership course that he conducts.
鈥淭hey meet throughout the week and on the weekends,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淚 teach them how to be a leader and, most importantly, how to be a good person and how to believe in themselves.鈥�
Despite the responsibilities, Weaver remains composed.
鈥淔or me, I stay grounded in my faith,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a matter of reminding yourself that you鈥檙e here for a bigger purpose every day.鈥�
Weaver anticipates a December 2019 graduation. After that, he plans to continue pursuing his dreams.
After landing a graduate assistantship and earning a master鈥檚 degree in educational leadership, Weaver wants to earn a doctorate in higher education.
鈥淢y goal is to be the youngest vice president at a school,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淭hen my goal is to become one of the youngest university presidents ever. I鈥檓 on track.鈥�
Weaver鈥檚 short-term goal is to represent Kentucky State well.
鈥淓verything I do is for Kentucky State,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淚 really love Kentucky State.鈥�