UM Student’s Passion for Community Involvement Sparked Law School Aspirations

By Chappell Emmons
Hottytoddy.com intern

Chessie Kay is not your average Ole Miss student. As a member of the Associated Student Body Attorney General’s cabinet, the sponsor chairman for Tri Delta, and a Student Alumni Council member, she is passionate about community involvement.

Chessie Kay (left) holding the winning trophy for the Kappa Alpha tennis tournament. April 1, 2019. Photo by Chappell Emmons.

Kay is a sophomore political science major with a minor in Italian. She is originally from Glen Ridge, New Jersey. But traveling to the South didn’t shy her away from getting involved. Kay is an elections commissioner on the ASB attorney general’s cabinet, and will be serving again on the cabinet next year.

She also helps the election commissioners facilitate student elections and make sure they are run fairly. As president-elect for the Student Alumni Council, Kay helps to improve the connection between students and alumni as well as assist the Oxford community and Ole Miss campus.

“Being a member of Student Alumni Council has taught me great networking skills and has helped me get involved with the Oxford community,” Kay said. “It’s been very special to be able to give back to the community, as Oxford does so much for us as students. Student Alumni Council has introduced me to many amazing alumni who I look up to as mentors and who have given me wonderful advice.”

She said the SAC helps students to connect with alumni and improve networking skills as well as utilize the alumni program to provide students with mentors that also give alumni an opportunity to give back.

“Along with student and alumni connection, SAC is very involved in community service and helping out through Oxford. For example, we recently had some students assist with the More Than a Meal program,” Kay said.

Kay in Cuba over spring break spreading God’s word. Photo by Campbell Rolfe.

Kay’s roomate Addie Perkerson said her interest and passion for community involvement has been inspiring. 

“Chessie is always so positive and uplifting to everyone. She never meets a stranger. No matter how many meetings or events she has to go to, she always finds time for her friends,” she said.

Kay eventually wants to take her studies even farther to law school after her four years at Ole Miss.

“As a student with aspirations to go to law school, being a part of this organization has exposed me to similar things, on a lesser scale, that occur in the law field,” she said. “Being involved with these organizations has helped me to prioritize my future as well as my studies. I’ve learned a lot about the importance of a quality education and putting as much into my college experience as I want to get out of it.”