WT Student Body Leadership Ready for New Academic Year

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - As classes continue for a third week at West Texas A&M University, a trio of new student leaders are settling into their new roles.

Ammileigh Smith, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Robert Lee, and Madyson McAshlan, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Santa Fe, Texas, were elected by their fellow students in the spring as student body president and vice president, respectively. After the semester began, Bryson Shelton, a junior public relations, advertising and applied communication major from Amarillo, was named chief justice.

As leaders of the Student Government Association, the three will lead student senators who are elected to represent each of WT's Colleges, Graduate School and the freshman class. SGA also works closely with faculty and staff to ensure an academically challenging University while providing opportunities for fun and community.

Over the summer, the team recruited potential new SGA members at New Student Orientations, brainstormed Homecoming activities, organized appointments to University-wide committees and engaged in internal planning, Smith said.

As president, Smith represents the student body and is the principal liaison between WT students and faculty, staff and administration. The president also acts as the chief executive officer of SGA and is the official student spokesperson for the University at the local, System, state and national levels.

"Serving as the student body president is an honor I do not take lightly," Smith said. "My goal this term is to improve student life in ways that outlast my time in office and build a strong culture on campus where every student feels they belong and has something to be proud of."

McAshlan will serve as the leader for SGA's legislative branch and elected students.

"Serving as student body vice president is a privilege that I approach with deep gratitude and dedication," she said. "I am fully committed to driving meaningful change, inspiring students and paving the way for the future of WT."

Shelton presides over the SGA's judicial branch and is a member of the Student Judicial Board, overseeing general elections and referendums.

"I am honored to serve the student body as chief justice and represent the values of fairness and accountability at WT," Shelton said. "My primary goal is to simplify our judicial processes, make conflict mediation more accessible, and ensure that every student feels respected, heard and treated as an equal."

Dr. Chris Thomas, vice president for student affairs, is the University liaison to SGA and said he is excited to work with the young leaders.

"This year's SGA leadership continues our outstanding legacy of our best and brightest choosing to serve our WT student community," Thomas said. "I look forward to working with them and all of the senators over the upcoming year."

Serving in leadership roles, whether as officers or as senators, is one way in which students are working to graduate and succeed, WT's primary mission.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's 2026-2027 Student Government Association officers are, from left, Bryson Shelton, chief justice; Ammileigh Smith, president; and Madyson McAshlan, vice president.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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