Profiles: Chris McKinney

Watch Video

Howdy! My name is Chris McKinney and I am a junior, political science major from Sugar Land, Texas, but most importantly, I am the proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2009, A-A-A WHOOP!

I started out here at Texas A&M University as a small fish in a huge pond. When I got here, though, it seemed as if I was in an ocean of people who were different from myself and I was swimming in a multitude of differing ideals and opinions. I immediately realized that I could have just been a number, a mere statistic on a campus of over 45,000 students. I couldn’t have it that way. I made the decision to not be just another student, I wanted an experience.

For me, Texas A&M is just that, an experience. It is not all about the academics (although that is the reason I am here), and it is not all about sports. Texas A&M is about your day to day life and the relationships that you form while you are here. The best way to get that experience is by being involved. I had the opportunity to pick from many student organizations on campus as a freshman. I had a chance to make an impact in a smaller group of people and apply it to the university through that larger group of people with my same vision.

The first thing I decided to get involved in was Fish Camp. As soon as I stepped on campus to attend Fish Camp during the summer before my freshman year I saw all the crazy counselors screaming and yelling and they were genuinely excited to see me. This experience helped me see the value of being in that organization. I wanted to be involved in the process of making people feel welcomed at this great institution. Through this organization I see the Aggie Spirit being passed on at every camp session which is vital for the livelihood of our tradition-rich school. Later in my Aggie experience I became a Fish Camp counselor to give back to the organization that had given so much to me.

As my freshmen year began I really started to get involved. I joined Fish Council, a FLO in Class Councils, where I learned about and carried on some of the traditions that are so important to this institution. I was also able to meet a great group of people who had a passion for doing the same things I did. I knew I was on the right track.

I stumbled my way into the Department of Residence Life by filling out an application to be a Resident Advisor (RA). I had no idea that this position would change the way I view the world. My goal as an RA was to create a community of respect for all the guys of Dunn Hall. I wanted to create an atmosphere which was conducive to great living and great learning, while maintaining an atmosphere which fostered relationships and a sense of community.

I was only a RA for one year, but I found myself with an organization closely affiliated with the mission and vision that Residence Life held, the Residence Hall Association, or RHA for short. In this organization, I will be able to greater serve the on-campus community in a widespread, but still concentrated manner. I will have the privilege of serving as the Vice President of Leadership Development.

My mom once asked me what I wanted to do with my life. After thinking about it, I told her that I wanted to make a difference. Here at Texas A&M I know I can do that. I truly look forward to making my mark on this campus through all of my organizations and their visions. Texas A&M has afforded me an incredible opportunity to impact the lives of so many.

I am a lot of things. I am involved.

Back to Get Involved!