EIU Media Relations

EIU’s new student trustee Ameenah Morris focused on building relationships

Morris hopes to advocate, serve as communicative liaison between EIU students and University leaders

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University student Ameenah Morris has been serving as EIU’s newest student trustee since July 1. She is hopeful that her time as trustee will benefit the University and the students it serves.

“My vision as a trustee is to make choices that are reflective of the average Eastern student,” said Morris, a senior Political Science and Philosophy double major. “I plan on offering student insight to other trustees and making decisions that are in the best interest of students.”

Morris graduated from University of Chicago Charter School—Woodlawn Campus and hails from the south/eastside of Chicago. After initially enrolling and attending a college in Tennessee, Morris said she didn’t feel welcomed by its staff and students. “But I’m grateful for my experience [in Tennessee] because it made me realize what I needed in a University. From the moment I met some of the faculty at EIU, I felt welcomed with open arms. Since, I have been met with nothing but warm faces and opportunity,” Morris said. 

Morris shared that she is proud of EIU for constantly making efforts towards accessibility and inclusion, and hopes her service as the student trustee allows her to gain more insight into EIU’s innerworkings and how decisions are made so she can bridge the gap between board members and the average student.

“By simultaneously advocating for student needs and helping students see the bigger picture, [I hope] my role as a liaison will help build better connections between higher-ups and Eastern students. I believe facilitating better bonds between these two groups will help our school be more successful,” Morris added. 

In her spare time, Morris enjoys reading. She took over student trustee responsibilities from August Biernbaum after Biernbaum’s term officially ended June 30.