Jewel Phillips

Ada Ruth Huntley is the first African American to be elected Student Government Association President at Auburn University. This University has been established for over 150 years and she is making history as its first black student president. Ada is a junior majoring in global studies, who had a vision and fulfilled it. She was one of five candidates who ran for Student Government president.

Ada’s win has been more impactful than she anticipated. Not only was she the first African American elected but the first African American woman. She has received many words of encouragement from women from multiple universities.

Ada has received much love from the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine.  She is a member of the historically black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. An organization that stands on the values of Service. She was mentioned on a popular Greek Instagram page “Watch theYard”, for her accomplishments. When asked about the support for other divine nine organizations on campus she stated, “they showed up and showed out.”

On Ada’s personal social media pages you can see her highlight the importance of service and diversity on her campus. She mentioned in an interview with Watch the Yard, her university is less than 6% black. She wants to be the voice of the underrepresented community.

“Less than 6% of students at Auburn are black, so we have really formed a community on campus within which we can support each other. I was very blessed to have my own org, as well as others across our NPHC, support me throughout the campaign,” she told Watch The Yard.

Ada’s win wasn’t only for herself, but for her legacy. Her mother, Liz Huntley has attended Auburn University and attempted to win SGA President but did not succeed. Her mom now serves on the university’s board of trustees and will be working closely with her daughter for student success.

Ada will fulfill her role beginning in March, representing her platform centered  on health, wellness and diversity. Her campaign slogan for SGA president was “Make it Happen with Huntley.”