December 07, 2022

VINCENNES, Ind. – Education major Gayle Baugh ’24 loves to showcase what makes Vincennes University special and enjoys guiding visitors around campus.

Baugh, who is from Greencastle, Indiana, helps the Office of Admissions introduce prospective students to college life. She is part of a dedicated team of student tour guides who show off the Vincennes Campus to future Trailblazers and their families. Her outgoing personality and ability to connect with them make her perfect for the job.

This week, Baugh stepped into a new role at VU. 

Baugh has been appointed Student Trustee to the VU Board of Trustees by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. She took the oath of office at the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Dec. 7. She was sworn in to replace Dustan Jones.

According to VU Board of Trustees Chairman John Stachura, “Vincennes University offers a unique and purposeful opportunity for a student to serve as a full voting member of the VU Board of Trustees. The student trustee represents all VU students, brings a student’s perspective to the Board, and provides an essential connection between students and trustees. We always have great input from our student trustees. It is an important role. We are happy to welcome Gayle Baugh to the Board of Trustees, and we look forward to her term as student trustee.”

Her term runs through Oct. 1, 2023.

"I am grateful for this opportunity,” Baugh said. "I want every student to feel comfortable coming up to me with issues or something they would like to see and then be able to take that back to the Board of Trustees. I hope the student body sees me as someone who is willing to put in the time to make the University and their college experience the best it can be."

Baugh will provide direct student involvement in the governance of the University.

"I set out to be the student trustee because I want to be able to make a difference here at VU,” she said. “I can be a great asset in shaping the school culture and strengthening the connection between the University, students, and the greater community."

Baugh is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Mild Intervention K-12. In December 2021, she earned an associate degree from VU in General Studies. She has also made the dean’s list at VU.

She chose to attend VU for many reasons, including its unique dual licensure bachelor’s degree program that prepares future educators to teach in both elementary (K-6) and special education (K-12) classrooms.

"I also chose VU because of the affordability, the small class sizes, and the feeling of being a home away from home," Baugh said.

She recognizes how important it is for college to feel like home. 

"One of my most significant VU experiences has been working in the Admissions Office,” she said. "It has been tons of fun. I have gotten to meet and become close with lots of staff on campus and meet new friends. I get to see lots of future Trailblazers and show them our beautiful campus."

Baugh has been active on the Vincennes Campus since the moment she arrived.

She is the captain of VU’s Cheer Team and has participated in the Horticulture Club. She is also a member of the service-oriented Education Club that focuses on giving back to surrounding community schools. The club also partners with the Friends Club, which provides entertainment and lifelong friends for adults with special needs in Knox County.

"I chose the Education Club to be around people who are in the same major as me and to be involved in community service," she said. "It has been a great experience getting to know other people and sharing ideas with them about being future educators."

Baugh expects to complete her bachelor’s degree in December 2024. She has aspirations of becoming an elementary school teacher in Indiana.

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