98FALL LEADERSHIP ALUMNA ABBY STINNETT was named the director of Campus Life and Campus Activities Board (CAB) in July 2021. She was the youngest director of Campus Life and CAB in Harding’s history and the first female to hold this position. Stinnett said she was thrilled to be the first woman in her position because it was often easy to talk about being more inclusive with women in leadership roles without actually placing them in the roles. “I think it’s exciting to be the first female in this position,” Stinnett said. “I want it to encourage other women on campus to get out of their comfort zone and be in a position of power. Not that people say that we can’t hold these positions, but I think it has been a slow process in making it actually happen.” Many were eager to see the fresh ideas Stinnett would bring. One of her first initiatives was appointing students to play an instrumental role in the organization. “So far, the CAB team is a diverse group of students hired by Abby to continue the student-led legacy,” CAB social media director Grace Morse said. “I’m excited for what the board has in store for the semester, and I’m pumped for Abby to showcase her abilities in this position.” Assistant Dean of Student Life and former Campus Life and CAB Director Logan Light said that Stinnett’s new role as a director would offer an approach that benefited all on campus. “Having a new perspective in that role is going to be good for the student body,” Light said. “Having that position be filled with a female offers an even more robust perspective and fresh opportunities. I’m thankful we were able to have her join the team.” Stinnett was not new to the CAB scene. While her position as director required a higher level of responsibility and more behindthe-scenes work, she was already familiar with holding a position of leadership in CAB. When she was a student, Stinnett worked with the organization for four years under Light, which allowed for their mutual respect and collaboration to grow. “We’ve created a friendship and a kind of trust in our relationship that allows me to lead in this position, but still feel like I can come to him when I need help or if I ever have a question,” Stinnett said. Light was also excited to see what Stinnett would accomplish with her experience leading CAB through challenges like COVID-19. “Abby has a unique experience with campus life having spent a number of her college years working with CAB,” Light said. “Last year, she was hired as the student director and helped navigate a difficult year as we negotiated COVID-19 restrictions. She has a great perspective on what good event planning looks like and the evolution of CAB over the years.” By witnessing this evolution, Stinnett understood what it took to lead events for the student body successfully. She planned to spend her first year as director aiming to reframe how students view the CAB. “I want to change people’s perspective of CAB,” Stinnett said. “I want it to play a large part in their college experience, and I think being both younger and single will allow me to devote more time to CAB than the typical director. I would love to witness it grow to its full potential.” WRITTEN BY BONNIE SPANN New CAB Driver Campus Life and Campus Activities Board appoints the youngest and first female director.
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