Student Advisory Council

Students who support our communication and outreach initiatives

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

 

2026-27 FINANCIAL AID STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Photo of Hunter Mehaffey Returning for a third term of service, Hunter Mehaffey is a senior studying Media and Communication with a minor in Marketing. He currently holds the title of Donor Relations Associate in the Office of University Advancement. Hunter is also the Executive Director of the multimedia innovation lab, Overlooked in Appalachia. Additionally, he serves as the News and Features Editor at East Tennessean, where he has worked for two years. Outside of these roles, he is an active member of the American Marketing Association and contributes to annual case studies.

Hunter Mehaffey

Returning for a third term of service, Hunter Mehaffey is a senior studying Media and Communication with a minor in Marketing. He currently holds the title of Donor Relations Associate in the Office of University Advancement. Hunter is also the Executive Director of the multimedia innovation lab, Overlooked in Appalachia. Additionally, he serves as the News and Features Editor at East Tennessean, where he has worked for two years. Outside of these roles, he is an active member of the American Marketing Association and contributes to annual case studies.

Photo of Sierra Arguello Returning for a second term of service, Sierra is a senior double majoring in English and Media and Communications. She is an Expedition Leader, a writer for the student innovation lab “Overlooked in Appalachia,” a member for the Reece Museum Student Advisory Board, an ambassador for the CBAT Andrew Leadership Academy, and involved in a few other clubs on campus such as La Comunidad de Hispanohablantes. Sierra also has worked two years as a BUCS Academy student leader, having done so this past summer. She has studied abroad in Brazil and has been a Study Abroad Ambassador in the past. During her first two years at ETSU, she was in the marching band and performed in the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. With a passion for literature and writing, she hopes to either go into education after graduating or work in Public Relations or Journalism. Some things she loves are her cat, coffee, and nature. She is excited to strengthen the connection between students and faculty, promote awareness for financial aid, and make an influence for this Advisory Board.

Sierra Arguello

Returning for a second term of service, Sierra is a senior double majoring in English and Media and Communications. She is an Expedition Leader, a writer for the student innovation lab “Overlooked in Appalachia,” a member for the Reece Museum Student Advisory Board, an ambassador for the CBAT Andrew Leadership Academy, and involved in a few other clubs on campus such as La Comunidad de Hispanohablantes. Sierra also has worked two years as a BUCS Academy student leader, having done so this past summer. She has studied abroad in Brazil and has been a Study Abroad Ambassador in the past. During her first two years at ETSU, she was in the marching band and performed in the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. With a passion for literature and writing, she hopes to either go into education after graduating or work in Public Relations or Journalism. Some things she loves are her cat, coffee, and nature. She is excited to strengthen the connection between students and faculty, promote awareness for financial aid, and make an influence for this Advisory Board.

Photo of Ellie Early Ellie is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences. She is a Resident Advisor, as well as a graduate of the Dr. Brenda White Wright Emerging Leaders Academy. Ellie is passionate about servant leadership and giving back to the communities that give to her, as well as spending time enjoying the nature and trails that surround ETSU. She intends to use her leadership skills in the future as she plans to attend medical school once completing her undergraduate studies.

Ellie Early

Ellie is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences. She is a Resident Advisor, as well as a graduate of the Dr. Brenda White Wright Emerging Leaders Academy. Ellie is passionate about servant leadership and giving back to the communities that give to her, as well as spending time enjoying the nature and trails that surround ETSU. She intends to use her leadership skills in the future as she plans to attend medical school once completing her undergraduate studies.

Photo of Hunter Ináncsi Hunter Ináncsi is a senior double majoring in Corporate Finance & Investments and Financial Economics. He is passionate about serving as a student leader in many student organizations. Hunter has served in leadership roles in the Student Government Association (SGA), Students of Finance Association (SOFA), East Tennessee Fraternity Council (ETFC), Buccaneer Investment Fund (BIF), PartyBucs, and POLO. He was also a student member on the Student Activities Allocation Committee (SAAC) and BUC-Fund. Hunter was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society at the 2025 Summit Awards. He is also a proud member of Beta Upsilon Chi.

Hunter Ináncsi

Hunter Ináncsi is a senior double majoring in Corporate Finance & Investments and Financial Economics. He is passionate about serving as a student leader in many student organizations. Hunter has served in leadership roles in the Student Government Association (SGA), Students of Finance Association (SOFA), East Tennessee Fraternity Council (ETFC), Buccaneer Investment Fund (BIF), PartyBucs, and POLO. He was also a student member on the Student Activities Allocation Committee (SAAC) and BUC-Fund. Hunter was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society at the 2025 Summit Awards. He is also a proud member of Beta Upsilon Chi.

Photo of Georgeline Udogu Georgeline Udogu is an educator, early interventionist, and advocate for inclusion and equity in education, with over a decade of international teaching experience across four continents. She is from Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and serves as President of both the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and the International Student Association (ISA). She also contributes to several university committees and initiatives, including BucFund/SGA as a Senator, the Sherrod Library Student Advisory Council, Co-president for the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and Student Leader for Bridges International at ETSU. Through teaching, research, leadership, and community engagement, Georgeline is committed to creating inclusive environments where every child and individual is seen, supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to belong and thrive.

Georgeline Udogu

Georgeline Udogu is an educator, early interventionist, and advocate for inclusion and equity in education, with over a decade of international teaching experience across four continents. She is from Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and serves as President of both the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and the International Student Association (ISA). She also contributes to several university committees and initiatives, including BucFund/SGA as a Senator, the Sherrod Library Student Advisory Council, Co-president for the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and Student Leader for Bridges International at ETSU. Through teaching, research, leadership, and community engagement, Georgeline is committed to creating inclusive environments where every child and individual is seen, supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to belong and thrive.

Photo of Sidney Cahill Sidney is entering her second year at ETSU and is majoring in Rehabilitative Health Sciences with a minor in Communicative Disorders. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Sidney serves as a Buccaneer Involvement Guide and is involved in several other clubs on campus. Outside of classes, Sidney enjoys attending ETSU sporting events and spending time with her friends and family. She is looking forward to serving on the Student Advisory Council and making a positive difference. 

Sidney Cahill

Sidney is entering her second year at ETSU and is majoring in Rehabilitative Health Sciences with a minor in Communicative Disorders. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Sidney serves as a Buccaneer Involvement Guide and is involved in several other clubs on campus. Outside of classes, Sidney enjoys attending ETSU sporting events and spending time with her friends and family. She is looking forward to serving on the Student Advisory Council and making a positive difference. 

Photo of Olivia Ayers Olivia is a double major in International Affairs and Business Management with a concentration in International Business. She is an active member of Kappa Delta sorority and has held several leadership positions, including Academic Excellence Chair and Director of Collegiate Facilities, as well as other positions within greek life. Olivia is also a member of the Changemakers cohort of the Honors College and serves as an Honors College Ambassador. She is working on an honors project that focuses on making a positive impact on teens in the foster care system and juvenile justice system. In summer 2026, she lived and worked in Lisbon, Portugal. Olivia loves traveling and the outdoors and plans to attend flight school after college.

Olivia Ayers

Olivia is a double major in International Affairs and Business Management with a concentration in International Business. She is an active member of Kappa Delta sorority and has held several leadership positions, including Academic Excellence Chair and Director of Collegiate Facilities, as well as other positions within greek life. Olivia is also a member of the Changemakers cohort of the Honors College and serves as an Honors College Ambassador. She is working on an honors project that focuses on making a positive impact on teens in the foster care system and juvenile justice system. In summer 2026, she lived and worked in Lisbon, Portugal. Olivia loves traveling and the outdoors and plans to attend flight school after college.

Photo of Mary Widener My name is Mary Widener. I am a mom of two and an animal lover. I enjoy spending time with family and view each day as an opportunity to learn and grow. I am majoring in Sociology with a minor in leadership studies. I plan to graduate fall 2027 then apply to graduate school for my master's in higher education leadership. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching anime, bowling, and playing games.

Mary Widener

My name is Mary Widener. I am a mom of two and an animal lover. I enjoy spending time with family and view each day as an opportunity to learn and grow. I am majoring in Sociology with a minor in leadership studies. I plan to graduate fall 2027 then apply to graduate school for my master's in higher education leadership. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching anime, bowling, and playing games.

Photo of Joselynn Nunley Joselynn is a sophomore majoring in mathematics with a concentration in education hoping to become a high school teacher. I am active in Access ETSU, Math Club, and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. I am serving as Phi Sigma Pi's Recruitment and Initiate Advisor. I spend all of the extra time that I have reading and hanging out with friends. I love helping people and I am excited to serve in my first term of the student advisory council.

Joselynn Nunley

Joselynn is a sophomore majoring in mathematics with a concentration in education hoping to become a high school teacher. I am active in Access ETSU, Math Club, and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. I am serving as Phi Sigma Pi's Recruitment and Initiate Advisor. I spend all of the extra time that I have reading and hanging out with friends. I love helping people and I am excited to serve in my first term of the student advisory council.

Photo of Bless-me Ajani Bless-me is a doctoral candidate in Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Management and Policy. Her research focuses on improving access to contraception and understanding how evidence-based health interventions can be sustained within safety-net health systems. She also volunteers as a Medical Reserve Corps in the Northeast Tennessee Region. Through her academic, research, and applied public health experiences, she is committed to developing practical and policy-relevant approaches that strengthen health systems and improve care for underserved populations. After completing her doctorate, Bless-me hopes to pursue a career combining research, teaching, and health policy to advance equitable and sustainable health services.

Bless-me Ajani

Bless-me is a doctoral candidate in Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Management and Policy. Her research focuses on improving access to contraception and understanding how evidence-based health interventions can be sustained within safety-net health systems. She also volunteers as a Medical Reserve Corps in the Northeast Tennessee Region. Through her academic, research, and applied public health experiences, she is committed to developing practical and policy-relevant approaches that strengthen health systems and improve care for underserved populations. After completing her doctorate, Bless-me hopes to pursue a career combining research, teaching, and health policy to advance equitable and sustainable health services.

Photo of Ijeoma Chukwu-Amaechi Ijeoma is a senior nursing student at East Tennessee State University with a passion for leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and service. She serves as a Senator in the Student Government Association representing the College of Nursing, a Student Foundation Ambassador, an ETSU Nursing Ambassador, and a Resident Advisor with Housing and Residence Life. She also served as Vice President of the ETSU Speech and Debate Team. Through her diverse leadership roles, Ijeoma is committed to fostering meaningful connections, advocating for student success, and helping create a campus community where all students feel supported and empowered. Her experiences as a student leader have strengthened her dedication to service and to ensuring that student voices are represented in important university conversations. As a member of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Student Advisory Council, Ijeoma is excited to contribute a student-centered perspective, advocate for increased accessibility and transparency, and support efforts to strengthen communication about financial aid and scholarship opportunities across the ETSU community.

Ijeoma Chukwu-Amaechi

Ijeoma is a senior nursing student at East Tennessee State University with a passion for leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and service. She serves as a Senator in the Student Government Association representing the College of Nursing, a Student Foundation Ambassador, an ETSU Nursing Ambassador, and a Resident Advisor with Housing and Residence Life. She also served as Vice President of the ETSU Speech and Debate Team. Through her diverse leadership roles, Ijeoma is committed to fostering meaningful connections, advocating for student success, and helping create a campus community where all students feel supported and empowered. Her experiences as a student leader have strengthened her dedication to service and to ensuring that student voices are represented in important university conversations. As a member of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Student Advisory Council, Ijeoma is excited to contribute a student-centered perspective, advocate for increased accessibility and transparency, and support efforts to strengthen communication about financial aid and scholarship opportunities across the ETSU community.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is the Student Advisory Council?

    The Student Advisory Council is a group of students from across campus who can give us feedback about the following:

    • Communications
    • Outreach
    • Web Design
    • Student Engagement
  • Why should I join?
    This is a great opportunity to give back through volunteerism, get involved in the ETSU community, and build your resume.
  • How much time will this take?
    The group will meet about once a month on campus for 1 hour per meeting. Meeting times will be based on members' availability.
  • If chosen, how long will I serve?
    The application process takes place in the spring. Those who are interested in serving multiple years will need to apply annually.
  • What are the qualifications for membership?
    Be a currently enrolled ETSU student and be willing to brainstorm ideas, review plans and projects, as well as be a voice for your fellow students!
  • Does it cost anything?
    Absolutely not! In fact, we will provide light refreshments at each meeting.
  • How do I apply?
    The application opens every spring for the next academic year.