By Megan Melone, Writer
Photography By Trevor Pickerell
Junior Trevor Pickerell is our 2024-2025 Student Government Association president. Trevor is from Maryville, IL, and is studying exercise science. He plans to pursue an occupation in physical therapy. I interviewed Trevor about his position and his experience here at McKendree.
Ok, so I’m here with Trevor Pickerell. You’re a junior, right?
PICKERELL: Yes, yes, I am.
Where are you from?
PICKERELL: Maryville, Illinois. It’s about 30 minutes from Lebanon.
Why did you come to McKendree for your undergrad?
PICKERELL: I loved the small-town environment and the small campus. You can form closer relationships with your classmates and professors.
What is your major?
PICKERELL: I’m an exercise science major.
You want to do Physical Therapy, so what is the education track for that?
PICKERELL: It’s the traditional four years for undergraduate and then a masters that I will do somewhere else, but I’m not sure where yet.
So….. your mom works at McKendree right?
PICKERELL: (Laughs)
I thought it would be cute to talk about your mom…..because your mom works here (laughs).
PICKERELL: (laughs) Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely different. It’s… well, earlier today, my sister left her water bottle in my car, so I ran it by my mom’s office. So, it has pluses and minuses. It’s nice having her there, but sometimes, it’s nice to get away. But at the end of the day, I’m glad she’s there in case I need anything.
She works in career services.
PICKERELL: Yeah she helps students with resumes and internships and all that stuff.
Yeah, she’s great. She helped me get a job.
What else are you involved in on campus besides student government?
PICKERELL: Besides government, I am a member of McKendree Medlife, which is a club for aspiring medical students. I am currently the director of engagement and this is my second year of doing that.
Tell me about student government. You’re the president now, but you started your freshman year as a senator.
PICKERELL: Yes, freshman year, I was a freshman senator, sophomore year I was the secretary.
Was it a big change moving to the president position?
PICKERELL: It was for sure because I had never been in a position over this many people before. It was a lot more pressure than anything I had done before.
And what are some of your responsibilities?
PICKERELL: The big thing is making sure everyone has a job to do and being the point of contact for everything that goes on. I’m the one that everyone goes to if they need something.
So what do you like about government? You stayed in it for 3 years. What made you stay?
PICKERELL: I like knowing that I am able to help people on campus. I am a quieter person and it’s hard for me to put myself out there but this was an opportunity to do that and I feel like I have learned a lot from it.
Last thing. Do you have anything you want to say to campus?
PICKERELL: Student government is here for you if there is anything that the students need please feel free to reach out. All of our meetings are open, you are welcome anytime.
Student Government meets every Tuesday at 4:15 pm in the Mac Lab in Holman Library
