EIU Media Relations

EIU’s new student trustee embraces a compassionate return to “normal”

Ade anticipates renewed engagement opportunities will create stronger, more supportive EIU Family

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University will have a new student trustee beginning July 1.

Emerging from a freshman year guided by national and state health and safety practices, soon-to-be sophomore and incoming EIU student trustee Payton Ade hopes the 2021-22 academic year will bring new and returning opportunities for student engagement and connectivity to the Charleston, Illinois campus.

“The pandemic resulted in an unconventional first-year experience for several EIU students,” Ade said in a recent interview. But with vaccination levels rising, Ade believes that there will be an increased interest in student connectivity on campus, driven by an EIU student body that is eager to return to a more normal higher education experience this fall.

“There are hundreds of ways to get involved as a student,” Ade said. “With so many prospects, I’m interested in increasing student connectivity by increasing awareness of those opportunities. “I invite everyone to participate, because it’s important to make sure all voices are being heard and acknowledged through representation and visibility.”

Ade said he ran for student trustee on three key positions – campus connectivity, awareness of opportunities, and student success. He hopes to modernize EIU’s campus connectivity by encouraging student organizations to work more closely together on like-minded initiatives. Creating more awareness of these opportunities, he hopes, will increase student participation and outcomes. Finally, Ade highlighted the importance of connecting students with available resources and social networks that can increase their chances of academic success.

“I believe that everyone can succeed if they’re given the tools and resources they need, and I’m confident we can do that by continuing to cultivate the ‘EIU Family’ atmosphere,” he said.

Ade is a 2020 graduate of Mahomet-Seymour High School and is a double major in history and political science at EIU. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and spending time with friends playing video and tabletop games.

Ade will be introduced to EIU’s board of trustees by current student trustee Michael Perri during the board’s regular June meeting, and will take over Perri’s student trustee responsibilities after Perri’s term officially ends June 30.

For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its various programs and services, visit the EIU website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.