With leadership experience and a future law degree, Victoria Mayhall, political science/Spanish senior, is set to make an impact on the world.
Mayhall said she first got an interest in politics eight years ago.
“I’ve always loved history. Growing up, that was one of my favorite things to read about. In high school, I just got really interested in politics,” Mayhall said. “The 2012 election was kind of the first time that I started noticing politics other than just hearing it on the news.”
Mayhall said OCU got her attention because of its friendliness.
“I actually randomly applied for OCU,” she said. “Once I applied and was accepted, the admission process at OCU was a lot more personal than other schools, and that’s what really made me like them.”
Mayhall began with a minor in Spanish, but she had enough time in her schedule to make it a major.
Since enrolling at OCU, Mayhall has participated in Student Government Association, Alpha Chi Omega and the honors program. She is the former chapter president of Alpha Chi Omega and she currently serves in the executive cabinet of SGA as the chief of staff.
Mayhall said she values the time she has spent with SGA.
“I think it’s really cool to be around a group of people who really care about making our campus better and care about serving the future students,” she said. “It’s great practice for the real world, learning how to work with people, scheduling meetings and managing your time. I think it’s a great organization to be involved with on campus.”
Taylor Downey, youth ministry junior, said Mayhall gives everything 100%.
“She fully commits to her responsibilities, and whatever goal she sets her mind to, she usually surpasses,” Downey said. “I think she is the best chief of staff SGA could have ever asked for.”
Mayhall is also involved in activities off-campus. In May 2018, Mayhall attended the National Education for Women’s Leadership program, a week-long event to encourage collegiate women to participate in politics and pursue a career in public service.
With graduation just around the corner, Mayhall has been setting her sights on law school. She has applied to five different universities, including University of Oklahoma, George Washington Law School, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Texas Law School, and Vanderbilt Law School.
Mayhall said she wants to work in public service.
“After law school, I really want to be involved in a career with public interest,” she said. “I’m interested in working with people who have been wrongly convicted and people who might not have access to great legal representation.”
Mayhall said she wants to work in the legal side of public interest, however, she does have interest in other realms of the business as well.
“Being involved in public policy is also something I can totally see myself wanting to pursue in the future,” she said. “Whichever career I pursue, I just really want to do something that gives back to the community.”
Mayhall said she enjoys being involved on campus.
“I’ve gotten to meet people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” she said. “I think sometimes our majors can be kind of insular, so it’s cool when I get to meet people outside of the poli-sci or Spanish realm.”
Mayhall said she thanks the faculty in the Spanish and political science departments for all of their support.
“One thing that OCU really sold me on when I was deciding where to go to college is that the faculty cares about you and cares about helping you succeed,” she said. “Every professor I’ve had has cared about my academic success. It’s really nice to go to a school where they care about you and know your name.”
Students should realize how fast time in college goes by, Mayhall said.
“I think the biggest thing is to just enjoy it. When I was a freshman, what I heard was, ‘it will go by so quick,’ and as a freshman I felt like I had been here for forever already, but it really does go by so fast,” she said. “Join student organizations, get involved, have fun, and just enjoy your time here.”
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